THE MALE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 431 



torsion without incision into tlie scrotum is performed in 

 a special manner, and leads to atrophy of the testes. The 

 barbarous operation of tearing out the testicle used to be 

 followed, but is not much resorted to now. It is said 

 especially to predispose to pelvic hernia, and the cord is 

 apt to tear off too short, and thus give rise to inconve- 

 nience and disorder. The removal of the testis, after it 

 has been exposed, by means of the ecraseuvj is easy, 

 quick, and effectual, and the use of this instrument is 

 regarded with considerable favour in the present day. 



Fig. 90. — Castrating Clamps. 



Removal with the Glamps, and hy the Covered Operation 

 are seldom resorted to now, the latter, as already noticed, 

 being required in cases of inguinal and scrotal herniae, 

 such as require the operation for radical cure (seep. 281). 

 Animals are chosen to undergo castration when they 

 are two or three months old, before the glands have mani- 

 fested their generative activity. If it be performed later 

 there is greater liability to untoward complications, and 

 it is said the meat is not so good. Indeed, it is not at 

 all advisable to delay the operation, for the extra develop- 

 ment is not an advantage, as in the horse. Sometimes, 

 but rarely, we require to operate upon an older animal, 

 then the scraping method is still very good, but castration 

 with the hot iron is generally preferred. Greater liability 

 to complications is seen in old animals than in young. 

 Of these the principal are hernia, haemorrhage, tetanus, 

 and peritonitis, and adhesions of the testis to the scrotum. 

 In the primary incision care must be taken lest a small 

 portion of bowel in the scrotum be divided. All animals 



