572 CASTRATION. 



hand, and drawing it out so as to render tlie scrotum tense, 

 he should make an incision lengthways, from the anterior to 

 the posterior part of the bag. The resistance of the cremaster 

 muscle has to be overcome before the testicle can be forced 

 to the bottom of the scrotum ; and this is the more readily ac- 

 complished if the animal's attention be engaged. The incision 

 may be carried at once through the integuments, the thin 

 dartos expansion, and the vaginal coat of the testicles, with 

 a sweep of the scalpel : but wdth one less dexterous at the 

 operation, it will be more prudent to make the first incision 

 through the scrotum and dartus only, to the required 

 extent ; and then to do the same by the vaginal coat, thus 

 avoiding to wound the testicle, which would produce vio- 

 lent resistance, and give unnecessary pain. We however 

 take this opportunity of noting, that cases have occurred, 

 when the tunica vaginalis was divided no testicle followed ; 

 firm adhesions between this tunic and the tunica albuginea 

 having retained it fast. In such cases the scalpel must be 

 employed to free the testicle, by dissecting it away from 

 the vaginal sac. When no such obstruction occurs, the 

 testicle, if the opening be sufficiently large, wall slip out ; 

 but the operator must be prepared at the moment of so 

 doing to expect some violent struggles, more particularly 

 if he attempt to restrain the contractions of the cremaster, 

 and by main force to draw out the testicle. Preparatory to 

 this, therefore, the twitch should be tightened ; the attend- 

 ants, especially the man at the head, must be on the alert ; 

 and the testicle itself, at the time of this violent retraction 

 of the cremaster, should be merely held but not dragged in 

 opposition to the contraction. If the clams have been put 

 on over the whole, according to Mr. Percivall's method, 

 they will assist in retaining the retracting parts ; but they 

 must not be used with too much pressure. The resistance 

 having subsided, the clams must now be removed ; or, if 

 they have not been previously in use, they must now be 

 taken in hand, and having been prepared by some tow 

 being w^ound round them, should be placed easily on the 

 cord, while time is found to free from the grip of the 

 pincers the vas deferens, or spermatic tube, which is seen 

 continued from the epididymis. The Russians, Mr. Goodwin 

 informs us, cut it through wiien they operate. Humanity is 



