CASTRATION. 
477 
and about an inch above the testicles; the two other assistants, 
the one on the right and the other on the left, lay hold of them, 
and press them together so as tightly to‘ squeeze the spermatic 
cords, drawing them backwards : they then perform a quarter 
of a circle with them, that which is in front being- a little before 
the other, and the hinder one a little inferior, and so they hold 
them firmly, resting the extremities of them on their knees. 
The operator having remained in the same position, grasps 
the testicles with his left hand, and draws them firmly down, 
so that the cord may fie still more tightly over the inferior piece 
of wood ; and then, having the hammer in his right hand, he 
repeatedly strikes one of the cords lying upon the inferior and 
posterior cylindrical piece of wood, always letting his blows fall 
on the cord, and not too hardly, that he may not produce a de- 
gree of disorganization that may lead to sloughing. He con- 
tinues this according to the age and size of the subject, until he 
thinks that he has sufficiently crushed the cord, and then he 
attacks the other cord in the same manner. Having proceeded 
thus far, he ties a ligature rather tightly above the testicles, in 
order to prevent them ascending (many veterinary surgeons, how- 
ever, neglect this precaution), and rubs the whole of the scrotum 
with lard or butter, in order to prevent the intense inflammation 
which might otherwise follow all these contusions : and, having 
once more examined the parts, in order to be perfectly assured 
that he has thoroughly crushed each of the cords, in order so 
that the absorption of the testicles may be prompt and complete, 
he releases the patient. 
The effect of this operation is the obliteration of the spermatic 
vessels, and the consequent atrophy of the testicles, which di- 
minish to the size of a small nut. The animal seems to suffer 
much less pain after the operation than would be deemed possi- 
ble. During the first four-and-twenty hours he probably expe- 
riences a slight degree of fever, but he rarely loses his spirits or 
appetite ; or, should he do so, a moderate bleeding averts all 
danger. The whole of the genitals become more or less swollen, 
and exhibit a red hue; at the expiration of eight or ten days 
this disappears, and the testicles are speedily absorbed. 
VIII. — Castration by Torsion or Bistournage. 
This mode of operation is oftenest adopted for bulls, but 
sometimes however for rams and for goats. It is seldom used 
for horses in any of the departments of France, but there are 
certain countries in which the horses are commonly subjected to it. 
1. The Bull . — Castration by bistournage is effected in the 
following manner : The animal is suffered to remain in his usual 
VOL. ix, 3 R 
