ANIMAL CASTRATION. 37 



and Absyrtus describing it as a common process of 

 castration. It is much in favor in England, and in 

 some parts of Germany, though less practiced in 

 some other parts of Europe. The instruments es- 

 sentially needed for the operation of castration by 

 firing are two ; the first, a peculiar forceps for hold- 

 ing the cord and securing it while the application of 

 the cautery is being made ; and the second, the iron 

 or cautery itself. 



These forceps, or nippers, are either single or double 

 (Fig. 9), and may be made either of wood or of iron, 

 and more or less modified in form, according to the 

 fancies of the different operators. But they all work 

 on the same principle, and effect the same object. 

 "With the single forceps but one cord can be treated 

 at a time, but with the double instrument both cords 

 may be secured at once, and may be divided and 

 cauterized at one step. In this way the possibility 

 of disturbing the eschar caused by the cauterization 

 of one cord while manipulating the second, is quite 

 obviated. 



When the testicles, either or both, have been ex- 

 posed, the mass of the cord is fixed between the jaws 

 of the forceps, from before backwards, at about one 

 inch above the tail of the epididymis, and firmly se- 

 cured. This may be effected either by tying it 

 tightly with a string wound about the handles, or by 

 means of a spring crank with which some instru- 

 ments are furnished. The testicle is then amputated, 

 either by a stroke of the bistoury, or with the sharp 

 edge of the cautery carried across and at a right 



