24 ANIMAL CASTRATION. 



manipulations, and the operation was from this 

 cause known as free torsion, until about fifty years 

 ago, when instruments were introduced into general 

 practice, and gave rise to the plan of limited torsion. 



FREE TORSION. 



Free torsion, or that in which the hands alone are 

 employed in the operation, may be performed, as 

 before stated, either above or below the epididymis. 



Above the Epididymis. The first is one of the oldest 

 modes of castration known; one which must have 

 been practiced contemporaneously with the use of 

 clamps, or in the first age of surgery. The first steps 

 of the operation required for the exposure of the 

 testicles are the same as have already been detailed. 

 When this is accomplished the steps of torsion and 

 rupture are then performed in the following manner : 

 The operator, grasping the testicle, carefully draws 

 out the spermatic cord, and with a pointed bistoury 

 makes a transverse incision, above the tail of the 

 epididymis, through the posterior septum of the 

 cord, involving what we know as the white muscle of 

 Bouley, the efferent canal, and the small testicular 

 artery. He then seizes the anterior fasciculus of the 

 cord between the thumb and index finger of the left 

 hand, squeezing it as tightly as possible, and having 

 with the other hand secured the cord at a short dis- 

 tance below the point where the left hand has already 

 been placed, performs the torsion by a rotatory 

 movement given to the testicle itself, the motion 

 having for its result the twisting and tearing of the 



