234 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



tion which requires considerable practice and facility to 

 perform properly, as the testicle sometimes slips from 

 under the finger before it is got out, and, gliding amongst 

 the intestines, cannot be found again readily ; it may, 

 however, remain in the body of the animal without much 

 inconvenience, although it is better removed, as its presence 

 is apt to excite inflammation. 



"After removing the left testicle, the finger is again 

 introduced, and the right one sought for and removed in a 

 similar manner. It is readily discovered, as its situation 

 is alongside of the former, a little to the right side of the 

 body. Afterwards the lips of the wound are brought 

 together and kept in contact with two or three stitches 

 with the waxed thread. No attempt should be made to 

 sew up the wound with a continuous seam, but each stitch 

 should be perfectly separate, and tied distinctly from the 

 others. 



"In making the stitches great care should be taken; 

 the skin should be raised up so as to avoid wounding the 

 intestines with the needle, or including even the slightest 

 portion of them in the thread — an accident that would 

 almost inevitably be followed by the death of the animal. 



" After the operation the bird had better be placed under 

 a coop in a quiet situation, and supplied with drink and 

 soft food, such as sopped bread. After a few hours it is 

 best to give him his liberty, if he can be turned out in 

 some quiet place removed from the poultry-yard, as, if 

 attacked by the other cocks, the healing of the wound 

 would be endangered. 



" After the operation the bird should not be permitted 

 to roost on a perch, as the exertion of leaping up would 

 unquestionably injure the wound ; it should, therefore, at 

 night be turned into a room where it is obliged to rest on 



