ANIMAL CASTEATION. ISl 



should be taken to carry the left leg in extension 

 backwards, in such a manner that the edges of the 

 various tissues divided shall not meet each other 

 when the operation is completed. The incision may 

 be made either vertically, horizontally, or obliquely. 

 When vertical, it should be immediately below the 

 lumbar vertebra next to the last rib ; if horizontal, it 

 should be parallel with the vertebral column. The 

 vertical incision should be preferred, because it 

 brings the ovaries within easy reach of the fingers. 

 It should be from two to three inches in length, and 

 should be made by a single stroke of the knife, and 

 without dividing the peritoneum, which should, after- 

 wards, be either torn with the finger or carefully cut 

 while raised with the forceps. To find the ovaries 

 the operator introduces the index finger of the right 

 hand between the vertebral column and the intes- 

 tines, and explores the lumbar region. Upon finding 

 the ovarian sac, he presses it against the abdominal 

 wall and causes it to slide by pushing towards the 

 opening through which it is extruded and grasped. 

 While it is held there the left horn is carefully 

 drawn out after it, until arriving at the bifurcation 

 of the horns at the uterus, the right horn also is 

 brought out and the ovary on that side secured. 

 Both glands being now outside, they are torn or 

 scraped off from their attachment, and the horns are 

 returned to the abdomen. 



While this process is readily applicable to young 

 sows, and requires a certain amount of practice to 

 be performed expertly and with success, it is sligbtly 



