368 



COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



which constitutes the delicate part of the operation, because if 

 this artery is ruptured the bird is almost certain to bleed to death. 

 The whole trick is to grasp the gland without grasping the artery 

 or the tissues surrounding it. The cannula or spoon forceps is 

 used for this purpose. Having grasped the gland, twist the 

 instrument around several times, then tear the gland from the 

 body and remove it. Repeat the operation on the other gland. 

 See Fig. 242. 



After removing the glands, if the bleeding is at all profuse, it 



Fig. 240. — The hooked end of a 

 sharp probe is then used to tear 

 away the thin membranes covering 

 the Intestines. 



{Courtesy Kansas Experiment Station) 



Fig. 241. — When this is done the 

 intestines are pushed aside, revealing 

 the gland, which is about the size and 

 shape of a small bean. 



is advisable to remove a portion of the blood by means of small 

 pieces of absorbent cotton, inserted in the wound with the aid of 

 the tweezers or probe. Be sure to remove all blood-clots, 

 feathers or other matter that may have gathered inside the 

 wound, then take out the spreaders, thus allowing the skin to 

 slip back over the cut. See Fig. 243. 



Losses are likely to occur with the best operators. The mor- 

 tality, however, should not exceed five per cent under average 

 circumstances, and with a skilled person it will not be more than 



