CAPONS AND CAPON1Z1NG. 
9 
Fig. 4. — Feathers plucked away to make ready for incision. 
between the last two ribs (see fig. 5), holding the edge of the knife 
away from yon as you stand back of the fowl. Lengthen the incision 
in each direction until it is 1 to 1^ inches long. Now insert the spreader 
into the incision, thus springing the ribs apart, as shown in figures 6 
and 7. The intestines will now be visible, covered by a thin membrane 
called the omentum. Tear apart this membrane with the hook, and 
the upper testicle, yellow or sometimes rather dark colored and about 
the size and shape of an ordinary bean, should be visible close up 
against the backbone. By pushing aside the intestines this can easily 
be seen, and the lower one also, in a similar position on the other side 
of the backbone. Expert operators usually remove both testicles 
through one incision. This is a desirable practice, as it saves time 
and is not so hard on the bird. Inexperienced operators will usually 
find it well to attempt the removal of the upper or nearer testicle 
only and to make a second incision on the opposite side of the body 
for the removal of the other testicle. 
If both testicles are to be removed through the same incision, 
remove the lower first, as the bleeding from the upper might be suffi¬ 
cient to obscure the lower. Each testicle is enveloped in a thin mem¬ 
brane. This may be and probably is best removed with the testicle, 
though some operators tear it open and remove the testicle only. 
The delicate part of the operation is now at hand, owing to the close 
proximity of the spermatic artery, which runs just back of the testicle 
and to which the testicle is in part attached. If this is ruptured the 
fowl will bleed to death. The cannula, threaded with a coarse horse¬ 
hair or fine wire, or one of the other forms of instrument previously 
described, now conies into use. If the cannula is used, allow the hair 
or wire protruding from the end to form a small loop just large 
enough to slip over the testicle. Work this over the testicle, being 
careful to inclose the entire organ. Now tighten up on the free ends 
