CASTRATION. 751 



the vagina as far as the opening of the meatus, being guided by the 

 index finger of the left hand, which has previously been introduced. 

 The point being very slightly depressed, it enters the cul-de-sac. It 

 is then only necessary to reverse the movement, that is to say, raise 

 the point, whilst gently pressing forward ; a slight resistance is felt 

 and the sound enters the bladder. If necessary the little valve may 

 be held down by gently pressing on it with the point of the left 

 index finger. 



It is sometimes an advantage to expose the seat of operation. In 

 such cases the lips of the vulva and the walls of the vagina may 

 be separated by retractors or by the use of a speculum. 



CASTRATION. 



Castration is performed for the purpose of removing the repro- 

 ductive power, either by obliterating the testicle or ovary or by 

 suppressing their functions. 



In ruminants, the testicles are elongated and placed in a vertical 

 position, the upper portion of the scrotum presenting a constriction 

 and the whole scrotal mass resembling in shape a cone with its base 

 downwards. 



CASTRATION OF THE BULL AND RA^I. 



These two animals, when destined for slaughter, are usually 

 castrated either at birth or at latest two or three months afterwards. 

 In Normandy, in Franche-Comte, and in England breeders castrate 

 young bulls by torsion of the cord. 



Two incisions about 1^ to If inches in length are made on the 

 lower extremity of the scrotum. The testicles are enucleated and 

 the testicular cords seized with, two pressure clamps, with which 

 torsion is effected. In the South of France, in Auvergne, and in the 

 Limousin, bulls intended for working are not castrated until after the 

 lapse of some months, on account of the influence which the testicles 

 have on the development of the bones and muscles. Such animals 

 are only operated on at the age of from six months to a year, and 

 as a rule the method employed is that of bistournage. 



BiSTOURNAGE. 



This method of castration has been practised from time im- 

 memorial. It consists essentially of torsion of the testicular cord, 

 and aims at obliterating the vessels which it contains, and thus 

 brhiging about atrophy of the organs served by them. 



The Bull. — The animal is operated on in the standing position. 

 The head is fixed to a post or ring somewhat high up, in order to 



