This is the operation of removing the ovaries of sows, in order to
prevent any future conception, and promote their fattening. (See article
_Spaying Cows_, p. 201.) It is usually performed by making incision in
the middle of the flank, on the left side, in order to extirpate or cut
off the ovaries, (female _testes_,) and then stitching up the wound, and
wetting the part with Turlington's balsam. An able writer on this
subject says, "The chief reason why a practice, which is beneficial in
so many points of view to the interests and advantages of the farmer,
has been so little attended to, is the difficulty which is constantly
experienced from the want of a sufficient number of expert and proper
persons to perform the operation. Such persons are far from being common
in any, much less in every district, as some knowledge, of a nature
which is not readily acquired, and much experience in the practice of
cutting, are indispensably necessary to the success of the undertaking.
When, however, the utility and benefits of the practice become better
understood and more fully appreciated by the farmer, and the operators
more numerous, greater attention and importance will be bestowed upon
it; as it is capable of relieving him from much trouble, of greatly
promoting his profits, and of benefiting him in various ways. The facts
are since well proved and ascertained, that animals which have undergone
this operation are more disposed to take on flesh, more quiet in their
habits, and capable of being managed with much greater ease and facility
in any way whatever, than they were before the operation was performed.
It may also have advantages in other ways in different sorts of
animals; it may render the filly nearly equal to the gelded colt for
several different uses; and the heifer nearly equal to the ox for all
sorts of farm labor. The females of some other sorts of animals may
likewise, by this means, be made to nearly equal the castrated males in
usefulness for a variety of purposes and intentions, and in all cases be
rendered a good deal more valuable, or manageable, than they are at
present."