ANIMAL CASTKATION. 23 



point in its length ; while in the process of simple tor- 

 sion, as properly performed, we obtain a division of the 

 cord by twisting it with instruments, which enables 

 the operator to effect the separation at a definitely 

 determined spot. Tearing differs, then, from torsion 

 only in the fact that after giving several twists to the 

 cord in order to gather its fibres into a more compact 

 mass, and to diminish the resistance of the more 

 superficial layers, it is divided in its continuity by a 

 violent traction upon its fibres in the direction of its 

 length. 



In this process, especially applied to ruminants, 

 the testicle being exposed, the operator secures the 

 cord firmly with the thumb and index finger of one 

 hand, to prevent the traction from taking effect too 

 far upwards when being made by the other hand, 

 after the cord has been twisted a few times on itself. 



TORSION. 



In this method of castration the cord is twisted 

 with sufficient force to cause it to break of itself at 

 the point of the greatest violence. Its design is to 

 accomplish the removal of the testicle without drag- 

 ging or excessive traction upon the cord, and thus to 

 avoid the hemorrhage following the torsion of the 

 spermatic artery, as a mode of hemostasis sufficient 

 to prevent the flow of blood attendant upon the rup- 

 ture of the cord. The operation may be performed 

 either above or below the epididymis, or may con- 

 sist simply in the torsion of the artery alone. At 

 first the hands only were called upon to act in the 



