54 ANIMAL CASTRATION. 



this purpose. In this operation the testicles are al- 

 lowed to remain not less than twenty-four hours, be- 

 fore amputation is performed, in order that if the 

 pressure has been insufficient, and the parts should 

 fail to exhibit symptoms of loss of vitality after that 

 time, another ligature may be applied. 



Uncovered operation. The only variation between 

 this method and the one last considered is found 

 in the fact that in this, the testicle and cord 

 being exposed as in the process of castration with 

 the clamp, the ligature is applied either on the cord 

 as a whole, or only on its anterior fasciculus. In this, 

 case the testicle is amputated immediately after the 

 application of the ligature. But as there is a possi- 

 bility of the slipping off of the ligature, great care 

 must be taken lest the amputation be performed too 

 near the point where the constriction is made. And 

 again, as there is a possibility of the truncated cord 

 being drawn too far up, even up into the abdominal 

 cavity, it becomes a precaution of prudence, as rec- 

 ommended by Mr. Bouley, to leave a sufficient length 

 of the ligature hanging outside of the scrotal wound, 

 and even to secure it on the edges of the skin. 



Ligation of the spermatic artery. This is a mode of 

 castration which, if we are not mistaken, was held 

 in high estimation by certain practitioners in the 

 city of Boston. It consists simply in the application 

 of a ligature of silk to the spermatic artery. The 

 cord being exposed, and the posterior septum being 

 divided, a curved needle armed with the ligature is 

 made to pass around the whole mass of the anterior 



