PART V. 



Restraint of the Hog. 



Little or no difficulty is experienced in casting and securing 

 young pigs or small bogs, either in the standing or recumbent 

 positions; but aged and large animals are more difficult and 

 dangerous to control, and by their tusks sometimes inflict severe 

 lacerated wounds. 



Some large hogs are tedious and difficult to catch, and when 

 caught most of them are extremely difficult and unhandy to hold. 

 This is largely due to the few and inaccessibility of projecting 

 parts by which a firm hand hold may be taken. In restraining 

 or securing the hog we have only two objects in view, viz., pro- 

 tecting the operator and assistants from bites and wounds from 

 the tusks, and sufficient immobilization of the animal for exam- 

 ination and operation. 



Catching the Hog. 



Many methods have been suggested whereby the hog may be 

 conveniently caught preparatory to securing for operation. The 

 animal may be seized above the ankle of one or both hind legs, 

 or by the ears, or both, and thrown on its side. Food may be 

 placed in a deep vessel and while engaged in eating, it may be 

 captured. Or a stiff piece of cord witli a loop or running 

 noose upon one end of it may be tied to end of a stick and a 

 piece of bread or other solid food placed in the loop ; when the 

 hog opens its mouth to take the food the loop is passed over its 

 snout and tightened. Or a loop may be placed on the ground 

 and tightened as soon as the animal has placed one of its 

 feet into it. 



The mechanical hog catcher. Figure 315, is an excellent de- 

 vice for catching hogs. It consists of a pair of metal jaws 

 (c) (d) fastened to the end of a long pole (h). These jaws 

 are hinged (j) and arc closed (a) (b) around the leg of the 



