26 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



Tlistoloo-ically considered, the tunica intima of ar- 

 teries is the most delicate layer of the three, and where 

 any sort of manipulation of an artery results in injury 

 to this innermost layer, retraction of the tissue fol- 

 lows. With such retraction and contusion, the lumen 

 of the vessel is mater'ially lessened, and coagulation 

 of blood is hastened. This inner tissue of the arterial 

 wall is the least resistant and will be divided before 

 the outer structures are crushed; therefore any in- 

 strument that will effect the division of the tissue 

 surely, and cause sufficient contusion to insure coagu- 

 lation of arterial blood, will serve for the safe removal 

 of the testicle. 



While the term castration only refers to the abla- 

 tion of the testicle, other means of rendering animals 

 sterile are sometimes resorted to. The secreting power 

 of the testicles may be destroyed and still leave them 

 in situ. These painful methods are employed in coun- 

 li'ies where the production of castration wounds are 

 inadvisable because of the possibilities of infection 

 T'esulting in tetanus or other dangerous maladies. The 

 destruction of the secreting power of the organs may 

 be brought about by a subcutaneous torsion of the tes- 

 ticles by digital manipulation — the testicles being 

 placed in a position that causes complete obstruction 

 of the circulation and resulting in aseptic inflammation 

 and eventual atrophy of the glands. 



In animals having a pendent scrotum, the spermatic 

 cord may lie crushed subcutaneously between the 

 edges of pieces of wood or other blunt objects, which 

 will ultimately cause atrophy of the testicles and 

 sterility; or a ligature applied above the constricted 

 portion of the scrotum, situated above the testicles, will 

 in about two weeks cause sloughing of the scrotum. 

 But such barbarous methods inflict much suffering on 



