514 V. D. LESPINASSE 



The classical eunuch is produced by surgical (usually very crude) or 

 accidental complete removal of the testicle while the individual is quite 

 young. Various types of accidents have produced this injury. In addi- 

 tion to the ordinary traumas we have a unique one, namely, the biting 

 off of the scrotum with its contained testicles by animals. 



Among the operative methods used to produce eunuchs are the crush- 

 ing of the testicle, ligature of the scrotum so tight that the scrotum and its 

 contained testes are destroyed and slough, due to lack of blood supply, and 

 lastly the straight surgical removal. Slight traumas to the testicle repeated 

 once to several times daily and continued over a relatively long period 

 of time is one of the older methods of producing eunuchs. 



Description of Eunuch 



The eunuch is generally taller than the uncastrated man of his 

 race. The skeleton is disproportioned, both upper and lower extremities 

 being longer than would accord with total height. .The increased height 

 is found in the lower half of the skeleton, rather than the upper, taking 

 the pubic bone as the diving line. 



The skeleton is delicately built. The bones of hands and feet are 

 long and slender. The pelvis usually, but not always, approaches the 

 female type, particularly as shown by its transverse measurements. It 

 is lightly built. The pelvic inlet may be widened while the outlet may re- 

 tain male form. The upper and lower jaws are powerfully developed, 

 giving a heavy expression to the face. The root of the nose is depressed. 

 The margo supraciliaris is well developed. 



The epiphyseal unions remain unossified far beyond the normal period. 



The neck is rounded and childlike. The larynx is small. Both the 

 thyroid and cricoid cartilages remain unossified. The proininentia 

 laryngia is absent or shows scarcely a trace. In general the larynx re- 

 sembles in form and dimensions that of a large child; the characteristics 

 of an adult male are lacking. The voice is that of a boy at the age of the 

 "break," uncertain, wavering, usually shrill and light toned. 



The skin of the face is yellowish; that of the trunk, pale, lacking in 

 pigment, soft. 



The hair of the head is abundant and soft. It early turns gray. The 

 trunk and legs are free of hair, but there may be a little hair on arms and 

 forearms. A short lanugo takes the place of hair on face and neck, except 

 that there may be single long hairs on outer corner of upper lip and on 

 chin ; these never, however, appear underneath chin or on neck ; in char- 

 acter and situation they are similar to the hairs that are frequently found 

 on the faces of old women. The eyebrows are well developed, but never 

 show the bushy hairs that are normal in male middle and old age. The 



