126 AXIMAL CASTRATION. 



not inevitably dangerous, must be excluded from the 

 domain of general practice. 



That of scraping ilie cord has not, so far as our 

 knowledge extends, been sufficiently tested, either in 

 European or American practice, to justify its recom- 

 mendation. 



The process of torsion heloic the epididymis is too 

 much subject to the development of champignon, as 

 well as that olfree torsion with the hands, to be ad- 

 mitted by judicious operators, while the limited tor- 

 sion is a method which has taken rank amongst safe 

 operators, notwithstanding the enormous swelling of 

 the parts by which it is commonly accompanied, and 

 the necessity it involves of the introduction of the 

 fingers into the wound to prevent its premature 

 closing. 



The method by tlie ecraseur, though occupying a 

 longer time in its completion than some others, has 

 secured very favorable results, especially in the 

 hands of American operators. 



The operation by cauterization is highly recom- 

 mended by English veterinarians. We believe, con- 

 trary to the statements of French aiithors, that it is 

 not widely in use on this Continent. The objections 

 urged against it are that the hemostatic effect upon 

 the cord is less reliable than in the method by the 

 clamps or the ligature ; that there is more or less 

 danger of cauterizing the surrounding parts by the 

 effect of the radiant heat from the cautery ; and that 

 the swelling which follows the operation is always 

 excessively great. 



Castration by the clamps is the best known and 



