THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 



tration is followed by an atrophy of the seminal vesicles 

 and prostate. 



Important changes also occur in the skin. The skin is 

 delicate, the hairs are softer and not as numerous. The 

 feathers of the capon differ from that of the rooster: 

 the feathers of the tail remain horizontal instead of 

 rising upwards. 



The attributes of the sex are modified: in the young 

 castrated rooster the comb and the spurs are rudimentary 

 or do not develop. 



The voice is changed; it loses its strength and its ampli- 

 tude. The mooing of the ox is different from the bellow 

 of the bull. The capon does not crow. 



The action of castration on the character and sexual 

 instinct is also very definite. Castrated animals are more 

 gentle, more docile, easier to train than the normal ones. 



In other words, castration attenuates the sexual 

 characteristics and allows the development of certain 

 attributes of the other sex. The internal secretion of 

 the genital glands favors the development of certain 

 characteristics and inhibits others. These observations 

 are applicable to human pathology. 



The effects of castration can be decreased by grafts or 

 injection of extracts of the interstitial gland. It is known 

 that in frogs, the male presents a projecting thenar emi- 

 nence which it rubs against the abdomen of the female 

 during copulation and that ejaculation is brought about 

 by the stimulation of these eminences. Extirpation of the 

 testicles causes atrophy of these organs. When there is a 

 secondary graft of testicle or the frog is injected with 

 testicular extract, these projecting thenar eminences 

 enlarge again. Ancel and Bouin have shown that the 

 injection of interstitial extract in young castrated guinea 



