722 



DISEASES OF SWINE 



grasps the loop from over left wrist and carries it back, dropping 

 it above ankles. As you drop the rope back of the ankle you are to 

 say "pull," meaning that your assistant is to pull the hog down- 

 ward on the plank, making the rope taut, as shown in Fig. 113. 

 With a little practice a sow can be secured by this method in less 

 than five seconds. 



Preparation for Operation. — One of the most important essen- 

 tials to success in spaying sows is to have the alimentary tract abso- 

 lutely empty before undertaking to operate. This can best be 

 done by withholding the feed for from twenty-four to thirty hours 



Fig. 113. — Restraint for spaying operation (flank method): Third step. 



previous to operating. During this time there is no special ob- 

 jection to allowing the animal free access to water. The danger 

 of septic infection can be greatly minimized by providing clean 

 quarters before and after operation. Another essential is to not 

 allow the boar access to the sow previous to operation. It is not 

 best to operate during the period of "heat." Pregnancy is a 

 contraindication to successful spaying. 



