756 GENITO- URINARY ORGANS. 



If torsion lias been clumsily performed, or if the ligatm'e be- 

 comes displaced, the testicle may descend and the cords untwist ; 

 the latter then appear to have lost the firm, tense consistence 

 which they presented after operation. To prevent slippiiig of the 

 ligature and untwisting of the cord, Guittard suggests the use 

 of an iron needle, with which the scrotum is pierced through 

 the median line, just beneath the testicles when at their highest 

 position ; above this is placed the ligature, which then cannot 

 possibly slip. 



The Basque operators, in order to avoid untwisting, exercise 

 vigorous traction from above downwards after rotating the testicle. 

 In this way ruptures occur which diminish the elasticity of the 

 cord and the epididymis, and tend to check the untwisting of the 

 former. 



When the operation has succeeded the testicles gradually atrophy. 

 They do not disappear completely, and may sometimes be found several 

 years later of the size of a hazel-nut or a chestnut and of fibrous con- 

 sistence. It need scarcely be said that in the event of bistournage 

 failing, cutting operations can always be resorted to. 



MARTELAGE. 



The process of martelage consists in mutilating with a mallet the 

 testicular cord whilst still covered by all its envelopes. This mutila- 

 tion injures the walls of the arteries, causing the formation of a clot, 

 which cuts off the supply of blood to the testicle and causes* the 

 gland to atrophy. 



The practice is very ancient. 



The animal is fixed by the horns as if for bistournage, and 

 the limbs are secured by two strips of webbing or two ropes, as 

 in the former case, though some practitioners neglect the latter 

 precaution. 



Two cylindrical rods the size of broomsticks and a wooden mallet 

 or farrier's hammer are the instruments employed. 



The method, however, is barbarous, cruel, and of doubtful value. 

 It would never be countenanced in England. 



CASTRATION BY CLAMS. 



Castration of bulls by means of clams has been practised in many 

 different forms. 



