112 
CASTRATION. 
his chest and belly, with the head elevated, and grasping 
together the four legs ; or, which is preferable, one assistant 
holds the lamb against his chest, while another kneeling brings 
together and firmly holds the legs. The operator then, grasping 
the scrotum with his left hand, makes one horizontal incision 
across the base of it, opening both divisions of the bag at the 
same time. Then laying down his knife, he presses the testicles 
out with his finger and thumb, grasps them between his teeth, 
and tears them out. He then closes the wound, pressing the 
edges of it gently together with his fingers. This tearing of 
the cord prevents all hemorrhage, and the wound rapidly heals. 
2. Calves . — These animals, when very young, are operated 
on precisely in the same way. 
3. Pigs . — These animals are operated on by some cutters in 
the same way, and, sometimes, until they are two or three years 
old: others break the spermatic cord, but without tearing it : 
they twist it, and draw it gently, until it gives way. 
IV. — Castration by Sawing or Scraping ( ratissement 
ou raclement). 
1. The hull . — This mode of castration, according to Gelin, is 
used at St. Domingo. A portion of the base of the scrotum is 
cut off, the testicles are forced out, and the cord is sawed 
through by a somewhat serrated but blunt instrument. The 
hemorrhage, if there is any, is arrested by introducing ashes 
into the wound. The animal is then dismissed, and nothing 
else is done; and, it is said, that there is no instance of a 
bullock dying in consequence of this operation. I cannot say, 
however, that I should dare to propose such a mode of castrating 
bulls in our country. 
2. Pigs. — Fromage de Feagre has castrated many pigs of 
three or four months old, by dividing the spermatic cord in 
this way. It is at last, however, permissible for very small 
animals only. 
V. — Castration by Ligature. 
1. The Pam. — Castration by ligature on the scrotum above 
the testicles is preferred to that by bistournage by some veteri- 
narians. They think it the surest and the easiest mode of ope- 
rating : others, however, affirm that it is a dangerous way of 
proceeding. It is called, improperly, Jouettage, because it is 
usually accomplished by means of a tight knot of whipcord 
( fouet ). An assistant seizes the ram, his left hand grasping the 
wool of the neck, and his right hand that of the right flank, and 
then lifts him, and throws him on his back. He proceeds to tie 
