DIFFERENT METHODS OF CASTRATION. 441' 
I cannot imagine why tetanus should occur more frequently after 
the covered than the uncovered operation, and pressure certainly 
may be made as efficient, if our instruments are well adapted for 
the purpose, in this operation as in the other; for, in fact, there is 
but one objection that, I think, has the least foundation for our 
consideration, or rather our experience, which is the statement 
that peritoneal inflammation is often the consequence of it. 
It may be a long time before this operation will be as frequently 
performed here as the old one, with the actual cautery; but I feel 
convinced that its superiority is only necessaiy to be known, to 
make it as generally practised as it is on the continent. 
TWO CASES OF CASTRATION. 
' By Mr. W. Percivall, V.S.M. R.C.S. 
IN January, 1821, I purchased a stallion ass for the purpose of 
experimenting on the operation of castration. 
On the morning of the 15th of the month, about 11 o’clock 
A. M., having cast and bound the animal, I made an incision on 
one side of the raphe of the scrotum, as in the ordinary mode of 
operating, through the skin and external vaginal covering, and 
let out one of the testicles. I then placed flat against the sides 
of the chord two pieces of elder, of convenient length, and about 
half an inch in breadth, into which, in place of the pith, I had 
previously introduced a paste composed of potassa fusa and soft 
soap, and confined them, in the usual mode, by ligatures. 
The animal was now suffered to rise, which he instantly did, 
and afterwards walked into the stable with all apparent freedom 
from pain, or even inconvenience. Shortly afterwards, the tes¬ 
ticle became cold; but he kicked, if it was much handled. 
In the space of three quarters of an hour afterwards, on exa¬ 
mining the testicle for the second time, I was rather surprised at 
its falling off* and dropping into my hand : the separation I found 
had taken place above the clams, and seemed to me, at the time, 
to be evidently the effect of the virulent caustic I had employed. 
The separation of the organ was followed by quick droppings of 
blood of the arterial character, which I had no doubt came from 
the chord. Four hours afterwards the haemorrhage had ceased. 
Towards evening, some triffing tumefaction of the' scrotum was 
discoverable, but the sheath of the penis was the most swollen, and 
had an cedematous feel. 
16th .—The swelling of the external parts has not materially 
increased. The animal was led out for half an hour. 
17th .—Exercised twice during the day. After the second ex- 
3 G 
