I06 DISEASES OF SWINE 



condition may increase the danger from bleeding, and 

 is apt to give them a set back. 



, When everything is convenient and the pigs are 

 confined in small pens where they can be easily 

 caught, one assistant will be able to catch and hold 

 the pigs for the operator. There are different meth- 

 ods of holding them. Usually, the hind limbs are 

 grasped with the hands and the head and fore limbs 

 are held between the knees. The pig is sometimes 

 laid on its side or back, and the hind limbs are drawn 

 well forward and held with the hands. Large hogs 

 are sometimes very hard to hold, and it may be neces- 

 sary to tie their limbs in order to prevent them from 

 struggling and getting away. It is best to place a 

 grown animal on its side, rest one knee on the side of 

 the head and neck, and draw the hind limbs as far 

 forward as possible. 



The operator should provide himself with the 

 necessary instruments, solutions, etc., before begin- 

 ning to operate. He should have plenty of disin- 

 fectant (four per cent, water solution of a tar disin- 

 fectant) in a clean pail, a good castrating knife, 

 needles, suture thread, and absorbent cotton or jute. 

 The instruments can be kept clean by dropping the:«i 

 into the disinfectant wash when not in use. The 

 skin of the scrotum should be first cleaned with the 

 disinfectant. The testicle is then grasped between 

 the thumb and finger and pushed against the wall of 

 the pouch, an incision is made in the scrotum paral- 

 lel with the middle line or raphe and from half an 

 inch to an inch and a half to one side, the covering 



