one or both cords are liable to do. But in ease they do 

 not, only press your left forefinger on the cords 

 in front of the ecraseur, then turn handle 

 back a lew turns to loosen chain, then 

 grasp with ri^ht band one chain and jerk 

 it on through the cords and tissue, which 

 will saw it off like a mash off, which pull 

 through the loop, and all will be well. I 

 expect to be criticised by thousands of cas- 

 traters as a crank, but nevertheless I pro- 

 pose to tell the truth plainly as I can, and 

 candidly express my preferences, obtained 

 by thirty years of practice. In speaking of 

 the ecraseur I prefer a loose one, liable to 

 pull part of both cords through the loop of 

 the ecraseur, or, at least, some of the tissue, 

 because when the chain fits closely it is 

 harder to cut off with, and will bleed more 

 than an old, loose, half worn out ecraseur 

 docs. Later I will describe my string ecra- 

 seur. 



If you wish a bloodless operation, pinch 

 one, or both cords at once, with your ecras- 

 eur chain one inch above where you intend 

 to crush them off at. Pinch half hard 

 enough to sever the cords; then loosen and 

 slip the chain one inch nearer to the seeds, 

 and crush off square across the cords. As to turning the 

 ecraseur slowly. I never do. I cannot see any benefit by do- 

 ing so longer than five seconds on the first pinch; that stops 

 the circulation in the blood-vessels inclosed in the chain. 



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