180 CASTRATION. 



obtained in twenty-four hours ; but sometimes they 

 are left on two or three days. But the shorter period 

 is sufficient. At the end of the time the practitioner 

 with a knife divides the strings at one end ; and either 

 the clams instantly fall off, or they are allowed to 

 remain till they do so. 



There are two ways of applying these clams ; the 

 operation, according as they are used, being called 

 the covered and the uncovered. For the covered, 

 which, in certain cases, as when scrotal hernia exists, 

 is the preferable way, the bag is grasped by the 

 hand ; an incision is made through the skin ; and the 

 dartos muscle ; taking care not to divide the tunica 

 vaginalis, which is the lining membrane of the scro- 

 tum. The outer coverings, the skin and dartos, are 

 then carefully dissected from the inner membrane ; 

 the sac of which is preserved entire. Then, care 

 being taken that the tunica vaginalis contains nothing 

 but the cord and testicle, the clam is placed over it; 

 and so closely and firmly tied as completely to stop 

 the circulation of the blood. In the other, or un- 

 covered operation ; before the application of the 

 clams, the tunica vaginalis, as well as the skin and 

 the dartos, is cut through, and the cord pulled gently 

 down. The clams being sufficiently pressed together 

 and secured ; the testicle is usually cut off, in order 

 that the weight of the gland may be removed. The 

 principal art in the performance of this operation is 

 to make the clams press equally and sufficiently firm. 



This mode of castration is almost uniformly adopted 

 in France; but many English practitioners adhere to 

 the old practice of the knife and iron. Another mode 



