SECTION VII 



CASTRATION OF SWINE 



Restraint. — With the exception of very large old 

 boars, sWine are generally confined in lateral recum- 

 bency for the castrating operation, and unless the ani- 

 mal weighs in excess of 200 pounds it may be held by 

 an assistant without the aid of ropes or cords. The 

 subject should be placed on the left side for the right- 

 handed operator, the assistant holding the pig's right 

 fore leg and hind leg together within the grasp of 

 the hand as indicated in the cut. The assistant's knee 

 rests upon the neck of the subject and with the left 

 hand he holds the lowermost hind leg. If the animal 

 is particularly vigorous and resistive, the operator may 

 help to secure him by resting his left knee upon the 

 uppermost ham of the subject. 



Some old boars attain the weight of 700 pounds and 

 more and when these large animals are castrated, the 

 operation is performed while they are in a standing 

 position, confined by means of a rope, the noose of 

 which may be applied about the upper jaw ; the other 

 end of the rope being tied to a post. In most instances 

 the animal resists confinement by pulling backward 

 upon the rope sufficiently to keep it taut, and he is 

 usually so occupied in this manner that the opcT'ation 

 can be done without the use of additional means of re- 

 straint. Because of the fact that they sometimes try to 

 squat and seat themselves upon the buttocks in such a 

 manner as to render the operation impossible, it be- 



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