526 
OBSERVATIONS ON CASTRATION. 
Torsion is also resorted to by some practitioners, and, as 
most veterinary surgeons are aware, the plan consists in 
twisting the spermatic artery several times so acutely that 
the inner two coats are cut through, leaving the outer or 
fibrous one entire, thus arresting the flow of blood. Another 
method is also adopted, and is said to answer very well, 
namely, that of scraping the coats of the spermatic artery 
through with a bistoury, the edge of which is slightly jagged. 
With a few practitioners the more scientific method of 
placing a ligature on the arter}^, and at once removing the 
gland, is adopted; but I have not heard of any one who has 
practised the plan proposed by^Ir. Bretherton, and carried 
out by him apparently with success. Now I have no doubt 
that this plan will likewise answer the purpose for which cas¬ 
tration is employed ; but I cannot see any reason why a testicle 
should remain in the scrotum after it has been rendered use¬ 
less, nor what advantage the plan has over the other modes 
of operating, unless it be found that a less^j^r centage of ani¬ 
mals be lost, or that they can earlier resume work after this 
than after the other methods of operating. 
Mr. Bretherton’s plan may have some advantages, for the 
reason that only a very small portion of the peritoneum is 
injured or exposed by this operation. Indeed, it is possible 
to cut down upon the vas deferens, and divide it in the way 
described, without wounding tliat membrane at all; and if 
this be so, all will admit that the danger of peritonitis super¬ 
vening is rendered much less. I may be permitted, however, 
to remark that this plan of operating, although perhaps 
practically new, is nevertheless not so theoreiically, for some 
few years ago a surgeon, who occasionally visited the college, 
suggested the same operation, and urged us to perform it. I 
also remember another medical man, who proposed to oblite¬ 
rate the spermatic artery by ligature, with a view to the same 
end; neither of these operations, however, v/ere tried by us. 
In offering my opinion on the merits of Mr. Bretherton’s 
operation, I must repeat that I see no advantage in it over 
the other methods already in use, unless it should, as before 
stated, lessen the liability togieritonitis. Mr. Bretherton, by 
this time, may possibly have further tested this operation; if 
so, and he will kindly send me the result of his practice, I 
shall be under still further obligation to him. 
