312 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
made. The operator should now wash his hands and the seat of the 
operation with a disinfectant solution. 
The operation. Make an incision about four inches long, cut- 
ting from before backwards, in a line parallel with the ridge men- 
tioned above. Cut down until the peritoneum or thin membrane 
covering the’ bowels is reached. Care is required at this point. 
Having reached the peritoneum grasp it with the forceps, taking care 
not to include any of the gut, and draw it slightly towards the ex- 
ternal wound, then make an opening through it just large enough 
to admit the hand. Pour a little carbolic oil over the right hand and 
force it gently through the opening into the abdominal cavity. The 
testes are easily located about three to four inches further forward 
than the incision, almost exactly between the upper extremities of 
the two legs, situated on and closely attached to the middle of the 
roof of the abdominal cavity, immediately below the kidneys. In 
birds of an age which I have recommended for the operation they 
are felt as two elongated firm structures, about one-and-a-half inches 
long by a quarter of an inch broad, somewhat the shape of a 303 
bullet. They lie about two inches apart, the left usually slightly 
more forward than the right. Having located them, the tissue round 
about them is easily broken down by the fingers, and a few twists 
liberate them and they fall into the palm of the hand. Both testes 
should be located before either is removed. With care the one can 
be liberated and held in the palm of the hand whilst the fingers 
free the other one. It is then only necessary for the hand to enter 
the abdominal cavity once and be once withdrawn, containing both 
testes. Ifthe birds are in very good condition there will be a certain 
amount of fatty tissue round the testes which may give a little 
more trouble in removing them. Having withdrawn them it only 
remains to suture the wound. Thread a needle with fine cat-gut and 
put two or three stitches through the peritoneum or membrane tak- 
ing care not to prick the gut in doing so. Then stitch the external 
wound with three or four stitches including the skin and muscle. 
Dress the external wound with a little iodoform and the operation 
is complete. Whilst the last stitches are being put in, the chloro- 
form bag should have been removed. Allow the bird to lie quietly 
until he wakes up and let him take his own time about rising, on 
no account frighten him up or he will invariably attempt to rise be- 
fore the effects of the chloroform have quite passed off and in fall- 
ing or struggling the stitches may be broken. Watch the breathing 
throughout the operation, it should be steady and regular. Should 
