188 The Diseases of Animals 
pushed down out of the way. The left testicle is 
situated in front of the kidney and behind the lung. 
It is best removed with an ecraseur, made by doubling 
an “E” violin string and pushing the loop through 
a small tube. This loop is slipped over the testicle 
and tightly drawn, thus cutting off the testicle. Both 
testicles can be removed through one incision, but 
many operators think they can save time and that the 
fowls do better when operated on from both sides. 
The incision should be sewed up by taking two or 
three stitches. Following the operation, feed the birds 
lightly with soft, laxative food. Barred Plymonth Rocks 
make very fine capons. 
The loss from the operation is very small when prop- 
erly performed, and few “slips,” in which both testicles 
have not been removed, will occur. An amateur, be- 
fore attempting to operate, should practice upon a 
dead cockerel until he is familiar with the anatomy 
of the parts. The best plan is to take instruction 
from an expert caponizer. 
Spaying 
There are three general methods of spaying. 
First.— Through the vagina. This method is appli- 
eable only to large animals, as cows and mares, where 
the vagina is large enough to receive the hand. The 
animal is confined in a standing position, The left 
hand is inserted in the vagina, or uterus. An incision 
is then made in the upper front part of the wall of 
the vagina, just in front of the uterns. The left hand 
