136 
CASTRATION IN REFERENCE TO RIGS. 
By Mr. W. Perctvall. 
I BELIEVE the notion to be pretty general, not only among 
horse-dealers, and grooms, and others of that fraternity, but 
among veterinarians too, that rigs do not only retain the sexual 
appetite, but are even notorious for the display of it: indeed, 
the very name itself of rig^’ appears to have been given them 
from an impression that they were “ lewd and wanton.’^ 
“ Other women 
Cloy th’ appetites they feed; but she makes hungiy, 
Where most she satisfies. For vilest things 
Become themselves in her; that the holy priests 
Bless her, when she is riggish.” 
I always, myself, consider some degree of respect and con¬ 
sideration due even to an old woman’s saying,” but more still 
to one that is current among men: particularly one that relates 
in any manner to their own trade or calling : at the same time, 
I lose much of the respect I entertained for such saying, the 
very first time a case happens to come before me which does not 
verify the notions it had inspired me with. 
On the 1st of April of the past year, I purchased a chesnut 
colt, got by one of his late Majesty’s blood-stallions, and then 
only wanting the month to pass in order to complete his third 
year. Not having been cut, I determined on operating without 
delay,he being at the time in low condition. As soon as he had been 
cast and properly secured, and I came to examine his scrotum, 
I found that he had but one testicle down. With the impres¬ 
sion of the wanton and plaguy rig full on my mind, I felt a 
degree of disappointment at the circumstance. I blamed my¬ 
self for not having taken the precaution to examine him at the 
time of purchase. However, I proceeded with my operation. 
I laid bare the testicle by making an incision with a scalpel 
correspondent to its long axis, and sufficiently extensive to ad¬ 
mit of the escape of the gland; and then I secured a pair of the 
ordinary fluted wooden clams upon the chord (unprovided with 
any caustic) in such manner as to suppress as effectually as 
possible all subsequent circulation; after which, at the time, I 
excised the testicle, together with the epididymis; leaving the 
globus major only attached, which acted as a sort of stay to 
the clams. 
Next day, perceiving so much tumefaction of the lips of the 
scrotal wound, that the clams, which were drawn up forcibly 
