SWELLING OF THE SHEATH. 181 



of castration has been attempted with occasional suc- 

 cess; which, from the comparative little pain which 

 it inflicts on the animal, is well worthy of some further 

 trial. The horse is secured, and an incision made 

 through the scrotum. The vas deferens and the 

 cellular membrane above the epididymis are then 

 sundered ; and the testicle is left attached by the 

 spermatic artery and vein alone. A pair of forceps 

 constructed for the purpose, and called the "torsion 

 forceps," are then applied to the spermatic artery, 

 three inches from the epididymis; and the testicle is 

 cut off. The forceps being then turned about ten or 

 even twenty times, the cord is suffered to retract as 

 far as it will; the forceps which have been firmly 

 held that a clot of blood may be formed, are then 

 opened ; and the operation is at an end. This mode 

 of proceeding, however, experience has shown to be 

 not so safe as it appears to be humane. The twisted 

 artery has given way; and fatal haemorrhage has 

 ensued. 



SWELLING OF THE SHEATH OF THE PENIS AND 

 AMPUTATION OF THE PENIS. 



Sometimes at the close of severe illness the sheath 

 of the penis will suddenly become enlarged, or 

 cedematous. The treatment will depend on the cir- 

 cumstances of the case ; but generally speaking, a 

 more liberal diet, a few tonic balls, with gentle exer- 

 cise, will effect the cure. At other times, a swelling, 

 not so large, but hard and painful, will proceed from 

 the accumulation of oily dirty matter within the 



