DIFFERENT METHODS OF CASTRATION. 
431 
cept by an operation which they term bistournage, which consists 
in obliterating the vessels of the spermatic cord, by turning the 
testicles round, and confining them in their twisted position, by 
the side of the cord, so as to produce castration. 
It has also been lately asserted, that dividing the vas deferens 
will effectually castrate the animal; that the duct being destroyed, 
the testicles become absorbed, and no longer exert their influence. 
This operation, it has been stated, was performed on an old cat, 
by way of experiment, and succeeded to the utmost: whether the 
same effect would follow on a horse, is an experiment that may 
be worth trying. We are all of us, more or less, called upon to 
perform the operation ; and often under such circumstances as to 
require our utmost skill to insure its success. 
The object we have in view in castrating the horse, is, generally, 
to bring him more under our controul, and better fit him for 
domestic purposes ; yet, nevertheless, it is a consideration to know 
how to perform it with as little loss of time as may be necessary. 
To the proprietors of cattle it is of the utmost importance, when 
fattening animals that require this operation, to have it performed 
with the least loss of condition in them; and I am surprised that 
the only method employed for bulls in France is the one I have 
already mentioned, and that it should scarcely, if at all, be known 
in this country. 
Experience teaches us, that castration in young animals is less 
dangerous than in old, and that when performed at an early age, 
before the genital organs are susceptible of secretion, we seldom 
find the result unfavourable. On the other hand, early cas¬ 
tration has its disadvantages ; for when the operation has been 
performed on a young animal, whose growth has not been fully 
attained, it influences, more or less, different parts of the body, 
interferes with their development, and deprives them of the 
strength and beauty of the entire animal. 
It may be asserted, that no operation can be available in all 
cases, and that we must be guided in our selection by the cir¬ 
cumstances of the case. However true this may be, yet there 
exists so much controversy of opinion amongst practitioners as to 
the best, even under similar circumstances, that I am inclined to 
believe we are yet ignorant of a method of operation that pos¬ 
sesses a decided superiority. 
An operation well performed under favourable circumstances, 
and succeeding to the utmost of our wishes, goes a great way to 
establish a proof, that the same, performed under similar circum¬ 
stances, will do equally well. And if it be admitted, that cases 
do occur which require different methods of opemting, I trust the 
