CASTRATION. 179 



or six inches long. This is sawn or otherwise cut 

 lengthwise through the middle; and the internal sur- 

 face of each thus exposed is smoothed ; and, by re- 

 moving the pith (or, otherwise, if a simple piece of 

 wood be used), a groove along the entire length is 

 made. About half an inch from either end, a niche 

 is cut sufficiently deep to hold a strong waxed string ; 

 by means of which they are tied together at one end, 

 their flat surfaces being* opposed to each other. 



Into the groove is put a paste of a caustic nature ; 

 as, one part of sulphate of copper with two parts of 

 wheaten flour ; or one part of nitrate of silver, or of 

 the bichlorite of mercury, with four of flour, moistened 

 with a little water. There are, however, many forms 

 for making these pastes; each practitioner generally 

 having one to which he attaches much importance ; 

 but, so it be of a caustic character, it does not signify 

 of what it may be composed. After all it is doubtful 

 whether the caustic is of any material service ; for the 

 clams applied without it have been found to answer ; 

 though, perhaps, the after-consequences have, in a 

 greater number of cases, been more severe. There 

 is, however, no proof of that fact, but it is the general 

 belief; and certainly the caustic has never been 

 thought to do harm. It should, therefore, be used ; 

 but at the same time it is well to know it is not abso- 

 lutely necessary. The clams act by pressing upon or 

 strangulating the cord ; which is placed between them, 

 and the free ends are then tied as firmly and closely 

 together as possible. The current of blood is thus 

 cut off from the part below ; which consequently dies, 

 and sloughs away. The full action of the clams is 



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