CASTRATION. 499 



rarely follows the operation by torsion ; in case it does 

 occur, it may be checked by touching the mouth of the 

 bleeding vessel with a hot iron, or by applying a ligature. 

 A trivial objection made by some practitioners is that 

 torsion occupies too much time. Torsion is the favourite 

 method of Professor Williams. 



Ecraseur. — The operation of castration with the ecraseur 

 is the latest method introduced to the notice of the pro- 

 fession. It has every advantage, with none of the dis- 

 advantages, of the other methods of operating, and before 

 many years have elapsed will probably be practised almost 

 to the exclusion of the older ways. The chief difficulty 

 consists in getting a proper instrument. It should not be 

 too sharp, or it will make a clean cut similar to that 

 of a knife, and htemorrhage is certain to follow ; on the 

 other hand, it should not be too dull, or separation of the 

 tissues cannot be effected except by pulling them apart — a 

 proceeding that is equally certain with the above, to be 

 followed by haemorrhage. On using an ecraseur for the first 

 time, it is advisable to place clamps upon the cord as a pre- 

 cautionary measure in case haemorrhage takes place. The 

 practitioner should get a good strong ecraseur, see that all 

 its parts fit well and work smoothly, that it is neither 

 sharp nor dull, but occupies a medium place between the 

 two extremes. A duplicate chain should always be held in 

 reserve in case the chain in use breaks. It is the best 

 instrument for performing the operation upon an animal in 

 the standing position. After casting the animal, and ex- 

 posing the testicle, the chain of the ecraseur should, if long 

 enough, be passed over the testicle ; or, if too short, one 

 end of the chain may be removed from its slot, and the 

 chain passed around the cord above the testicle and again 

 secured. The chain should now be drawn up so as to 

 closely embrace the cord. The slack may be taken up by 



32—2 



