DIFFERENT METHODS OF CASTRATION. 433 
the actual cautery always induces, more or less, symptoms that 
often become alarming, and that it cannot be performed on the 
adult without incurring more swelling and severer symptoms than 
attend any other method of operation. If I ever use the actual 
cautery, it is for the sake of expedition, and then only on a yearling, 
or a two-year old; but I am resolved never to employ it again on 
an adult. 
Castration,” says Hurtrel d’Arboval, by means of the clams, 
is the method in general use, if not the only one now employed : it is 
the most ancient, since it was recommended by Hieroclius among the 
Greeks. It is performed in two ways—the testicle being covered 
or uncovered. In the former, the scrotum alone formed by the skin 
and dartos muscle is cut through, and the testicle is brought out 
by tearing through the laminated tissue which unites the scrotum 
with the tunica vaginalis; and the clam is then placed above the 
epididymis, outside the peritoneal covering, on the cord. In the 
uncovered operation, the incision is made through the serous cap¬ 
sule of the testicle; the .tunica vaginalis being cut through, the 
testicle presents itself, and the clam is. placed well above the 
epididymis, on the cord. Some persons recommend the epididymis 
to be left under the clams, with a view of the animal’s keeping 
his strength and vigour: in young subjects this may be done 
without inconvenience, but in older it is often the cause of mis¬ 
chief. The operation, performed in either way, requires us to provide 
ourselves with a scalpel, a pair of clams, a pair of long pincers, 
made purposely to bring the ends of the clams together, and some 
waxed string. The clams may be made of different kinds of wood, 
but the elder is nevertheless the best, and generally made use of. 
To make a clam, we procure a branch of old and dry elder, whose 
diameter should be about an inch, and whose length should be 
from five to six inches : of course, the dimensions must at all times 
be proportioned to the size of the cord we have to operate on. 
At the distance of half an inch from each end, a small niche, 
sufficiently deep to hold the string, must be made, and then 
the wood should be sawed through the middle lengthways. 
Each end of the clam should be planed, so as to facilitate the 
opening of them, either when we are about to place them or to 
take them off. The pith of the wood is then to be taken out, and 
the hollow should be filled with a paste made of corrosive sub¬ 
limate and flour, mixed with sufficient water to form it. Some 
persons are not in the habit of using any caustic whatever, and, 
of course, the scooping out of the inside of the clam is not neces¬ 
sary : notwithstanding, the caustic, inasmuch as it produces a 
speedier dissolution of the parts, must be useful, and ought not to 
be neglected.” 
3 F 
