398 BROILERS, ROASTERS, AND CAPONS 
them to press against the ribs on either side, and thus hold the 
incision open, the opening being controlled by the size of the 
chicken. A thin, tissue-like skin will now be perceived on looking 
into the cut, and it is next necessary to rupture this by using the 
hook on the end of the spoon. Care should be used in tearing 
this not to rupture the intestines or arteries. The tear should be 
right under the incision, and no larger than the opening. On look- 
ing into the opening the testicles can now be seen, attached to 
the back. At the age of three months they will appear as little 
rolls of fat, yellow in color, about one-half an inch long, and 
about the size of a kernel of wheat. 
Now comes the delicate and hard part of the operation,— 
namely, the securing and removal of these organs. The best pro- 
cedure is as follows: Take the spoon in the left hand, and press 
the intestines back with same until the lower testicle lies in the 
spoon, then take the cannula, which has been previously threaded 
with horsehair, leaving a loop about double the size of the tes- 
ticle, the hair being knotted at the upper end, leaving a large 
loop of such size as to admit the thumb, and small enough so that 
it will be possible to draw the lower loop tight by. an upward 
movement of the thumb. After fixing the cannula firmly in the 
right hand, place the small loop over the testicle with the aid 
of the spoon, gradually elevating the thumb until the lower 
testicle is firmly held in the loop, then by an upward movement 
of the thumb and a gradual drawing up of the cannula, at the 
same time twisting it slightly, the testicle and the sac in which 
it is enclosed will be entirely removed. The spoon should be held 
under the testicle to catch it when it is severed. The same pro- 
cedure should follow in the removal of the upper one, except that 
it will be found much easier, as it lies near the top in better view 
and is more easily reached. The object of removing the lower 
one first is that, in case of any bleeding from prior removal of the 
upper one, it would be impossible to find the lower one. After 
both testicles are removed, take out the spreader, and the skin 
will slip back over the opening. The bird should be immediately 
released. It has sometimes been suggested that the testicle be 
removed by an incision on both sides of the bird; but this is un- 
necessary, except in the case of the first few birds done by an 
amateur, or where the birds have not fasted long enough. 
Slips and Deaths.—If during the operation the tissue of the 
testicle is ruptured or torn, there is a possibility of some of it 
oI 
