98 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



cliuU', this fhute connecting hy means of a long run- 

 way with a small lot ov corral, enabling the expeilitious 

 management of large numbers without undue delay or 

 accidents. 



The head should be held by means of stanchion bars, 

 and the animals may be prevented from lying down 

 by means of girths or cross bars. A gate should be pro- 

 vided for on the side of the chute to permit ready 

 access to the flank of the subject. 



When animals are handled in large niimhers in the 

 I'ecumbent position they are usually contined by means 

 of ropes with the aid of saddle horses and are cast and 

 "stretched." A rope about the neck including one or 

 both front feet, is held taut also by means of a hoi'se 

 and 7'ider, and another rope aboiit the hind legs serves 

 to confine 1he animal on its side. This position, how- 

 ever, has the disadvantage of over-tensing the abdom- 

 inal muscles, and it is preferable to secure the upper 

 hind leg only. This may be done liy an assistant hold- 

 ing the same as illustrated in the accompanying cut. 



Preparation of the Surgical Area. — In young heifers, 

 it is best to operate on the left side, but in larger ani- 

 jnals, because of the bulk of the rumen, it is perhaps 

 found easiei' to invade the right flank. 



The hair is clipped from a liberal porition Jictween 

 the external iliac angle and the last rib, just below the 

 transverse lumbar process, and this area is scrubbed 

 with a two per cent solution of Liquor Cresolis Composi- 

 tns or some other suitable antiseptic. 



Operative Technic. — An incision is then made with 

 some good spaying knife through the skin and fascia, 

 of pi-oper length to enable the ready introduction of 

 the operator's hand. It is a matter of personal choice 

 as to which particular style of instrument is to be 



