AHIMAL CiASTEATION 161 



an effort of nature to return in some degree to sexual 

 life. 



CATS. 



In female cats, the operation is performed similar 

 to that of spaying sows. As cats are more apt to 

 bite or claw the wounds than dogs, the parts should 

 be protected by bandage until the wounds have 

 healed. 



OASTEATION OF FOWLS. 



The effect of this operation upon the quality of 

 the flesh and the power of accumulating fat, in the 

 domestic fowl is a fact too familiar to those who have 

 learned to appreciate the exquisite juicy qualtity of 

 the meat of the capon to need any comment at our 

 hands. The operation upon these animals is one of 

 considerable difficulty and requires skill and experi- 

 ence to perform with nicety and success. 



In birds the testicles are situated in the abdomi- 

 nal cavity, immediately behind the lungs, under the 

 vertebral column and in front of the kidneys (Fig. 

 44). They correspond exactly to the articulation of 

 the last three ribs with the spinal column, where 

 they lie close together and in contact with the blood 

 vessels which separate them from the kidneys. They 

 are held in position by the peritoneum spread above 

 them, and by minute blood vessels, branches of the 

 aorta or of the vena cava. 



In the operation the fowl is placed on his side, 

 the tail being towards the operator, with the hind 



