The Common Farm Operations. 197 



towards the back and the ovary felt for, when found is 

 drawn towards the opening, thus drawing the horn of the 

 uterus also, rendering the other ovary easy to get in 

 young sows, both ovaries are drawn out and snipped off 

 at once, if old sows only one is exposed at a time and its 

 ovary removed. The operation may be performed on 

 the cow or heifer in the standing position, the incision 

 being made through the upper left flank, at the spot 

 selected for tapping a cow, a strong scantling being slung 

 parallel to the cow at a level a little above the knee and 

 hocks, the head should be fastened securely and the bull- 

 dog may be inserted in the nose. The incision is made 

 with a knife through the skin, the operator can with his 

 fingers secure the ovaries which are snipped off by the 

 spaying scissors, and then brought out. The incision 

 should be just large enough to admit the hand, a stitch 

 or two through the skin, muscles and peritoneum draws 

 the wound together, tar being applied over all. The 

 animal should be starved for thirty-six hours before the 

 operation and should only get light sloppy feed or grass 

 afterwards for a few days. 



Ruptures may occur in pigs and lambs, if shown after 

 castration cleanse the bowels with tepid water containing 

 some mild antiseptic, return them, to do which it may be 

 necessary to stand the animal head downwards, and also 

 to introduce the finger into the rectum, when returned 

 sew up the opening as close to the body as possible, keep 

 quiet and give but little food. The navel rupture (um- 

 bilical hernia is the technical term) is often seen in foals, 

 and quite frequently disappears by the time the animal is 

 a year old; previous to that time the enlargement may be 



