72 
CASTRATION OF MULES IN THE CRIMEA. 
which it will be seen that a pedunculated tumour exists 
within the ileum* producing occlusion of the bowel. The 
tumour had a flesh-like appearance, and its globular portion 
was covered with a membrane somewhat analogous to the 
true mucous membrane. By its weight it had drawn in a 
portion of the ileum* which thereby formed its pedicle, and 
which extended as far as the part occupied by the upper 
transverse rod in the engraving. To this place the normal 
mucous membrane could be traced. All the surrounding 
tissues were infiltrated with blood. 
ON CASTRATION OF MULES IN THE CRIMEA, 
BY “ SCRAPING” THE CORD. 
By T. Paton* Y.S.* Military Train. 
In the Crimea* during the latter part of 1855* it was found 
necessary to perform the operation of castration on about 
one hundred and twenty mules* whose impatience of control 
and vice evidently arose from their inordinate sensuality 
—sexuality it could not be called, for these hybrids seem 
not to distinguish the sex, or if so it seems to make no 
difference. The animals being under the care of several 
veterinary surgeons, a council was held* at which it was re¬ 
solved that they should be brought to a central place conve¬ 
nient for the operation, and after-treatment. At the sug¬ 
gestion of Veterinary Surgeon Gloag, of the 11th Hussars* 
the “scraping’ 3 operation was determined on as an ex¬ 
periment. 
It is for the information of those of your readers who may 
be unacquainted with this mode of operating* and its results* 
that I am induced to send you this paper. 
The animals were all of mature age, ?. e ., five years and 
upwards, in hard condition* well fed* and totally unpre¬ 
pared by physic or diet. The heat was intense ; so much so* 
that during the period I was operating upon about thesixteenth 
animal, I received a coup de soleil , which ended in fever, con¬ 
fining me for a month. 1 mention this fact* as I do not 
remember the exact degree of heat indicated by the thermo¬ 
meter at the time. 
Operation .—Having cast the animal by means of ropes* and 
placed him in a convenient position, the testicle was firmly 
grasped in the left hand* between the thumb and forefinger. 
