58 A MANUAL ON THE HOG. 



SPAYING. 



There are two methods of spaying, each of which has its 

 advocates. The pigs should not be very fat when spayed, 

 and should be fasted for twelve hours before operated upon^ 

 If any are sickly they must not be operated upon until they 

 recover. $ 



If spaying is done in the side, lay the subject on her left 

 side, and let her be securely held by an assistant. "An 

 incision is then made into the flank, the forefinger of the 

 right hand introduced into it, and gently turned about until 

 it encounters and hooks hold of the right ovary, which it 

 draws through the opening ; a ligature is then passed around 

 this one and the left ovary felt for in like manner. The 

 operator then severs off these two ovaries, either by cutting 

 or tearing, and returns the womb and its appurtenances to 

 their proper position. This being done, he closes up the 

 wound with two or three stitches and releases his patient." 

 [ Youatt and Martin. ~\ Care should be taken, in stitching up the 

 wound.to catch with the thread the inner lining of the cavity. 

 An application of common tar and tallow, thoroughly mixed 

 together, will facilitate healing and protect from flies. Pe- 

 troleum not kerosene, but crude oil is also efficacious. 



If spaying is done in the belly, the same process is pur- 

 sued, except that the patient should be hung by the hind 

 legs, and the incision made in the belly instead of the side. 

 PIGS FED SEPARATELY. 



Pigs should be fed in pens to themselves to insure 

 receiving their proper share, and to prevent them from 

 being bitten and bruised by the large hogs. This can be 

 easily managed by having a pen at the feeding place with 

 a gate just large enough to admit those that are desired to 

 enter. They soon learn to take advantage of the privilege 

 thus afforded them, especially if, as should be the case, 

 they are fed enough to keep them eating after the large 

 hogs have finished their meal. 



Another advantage of this arrangement is, that if at any 

 time they need handling, all that is necessary to secure 



