306 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
be arranged by boring holes through its top at proper distances from 
each other, allowing the strings to pass through these, and hanging 
the weights underneath. Still other ways of holding the fowl in 
“place have been devised, but these are unimportant so long as the 
fowl is held securely stretched out. 
DETAILS OF THE OPERATION 
Having fastened the fowl, be sure that all the instruments are at 
hand. It is also well, though not necessary, to have ready some 
absorbent cotton and a dish of water to which have been added a few 
drops of carbolic acid or some other antiseptic. Having once started, 
carry the operation through as quickly as possible. Moisten and 
remove the feathers from a small area over the last two ribs just in 
Fic. 59. Feathers plucked away to make ready for incision. (Drawn from 
photograph by Slocum) 
front of the thigh (Fig. 59). With the left hand slide the skin 
and flesh down toward the thigh. Holding it thus, make the incision 
between the last two ribs (Fig. 60), holding the edge of the knife 
away from you as you stand back of the fowl. Lengthen the incision 
in each direction until it is 1 to 1% inches long. Now insert the 
spreader into the incision, thus springing the ribs apart, as shown in 
figure 61. The intestines will now be visible, covered by a thin 
membrane called the omentum. Tear apart this membrane with 
the hook, and the upper testicle, yellow or sometimes rather dark 
colored and about the size and shape of an ordinary bean, should 
be visible close up against the backbone. By pushing aside the in- 
testines this can easily be seen, and the lower one also, in a similar 
position on the other side of the backbone. Expert operators usually 
remove both testicles through one incision. This is a desirable prac- 
