276 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



num and the anus. The feathers are plucked, the skin dis- 

 infected and an incision just long enough to admit the in- 

 dex finger made through the skin and underlying muscles 

 down to the peritoneum which is lifted and torn with the 

 tissue forcep. If the side air sack settles in front of the open- 

 ing it can be excised without hesitation. 



The index finger is then introduced and passed toward 

 the vertebral column, just in front of the kidney, where a 

 firm but soft body one-half inch wide ami three quarters of 

 an inch long is soon recognized. When found the testicle 

 is worked loose all around its circumference with the end of 

 the finger (not the nail) and then "wiped" loose from all 



Fig. 139— Securing Cord. 



Fig. 140— Spoon. 



of its attachments by a down and outward motion and then is 

 left to float at liberty amongst the viscera. The opposite 

 testicle is then treated in the same manner without with- 

 drawing the finger from the abdominal cavity. No attempt 

 is made to remove the extirpated testicles from the abdomi- 

 nal cavity as they will absorb in a short time, without caus- 

 ing any further trouble. 



The incision is closed with a stitch and the wound 

 brushed over with collodion. As a mark of identification 

 the comb may be snipped as the animal is released. 



Operated animals are fed lightly on soft feed for several 

 days, and protected against inclement weather. Shelter 



