88 
W. E. B. MILLER. 
end in healing, or heal up around the end of the cord, as is 
more generally the case, thus retaining it within its grasp until 
recovery has taken place, with the end of the cord still fastened 
down to the scrotum. 
I operated by this method for many years, and this was 
always my greatest complication. Since I abandoned their use 
entirely, except in cases of hernias, 1 have had very few, if any, 
scirrhosis cords, but as I have operated oh many thousands of 
bulls, sheep, calves, pigs, etc., by other methods, and seldom, if 
•ever, had scirrhosis of the cords, I cannot but attribute their 
presence to a very large extent from the use of clamps. 
The last method to which I will at this time refer, is a com¬ 
bination system of compression of the cords and the extirpation 
of the testicles with the ecraseur. I have used this method 
exclusively (except in cases of hernias) for the last fifteen years, 
and have had better results and more satisfaction from its use 
than any other method I ever employed. It is easy of appliance, 
rapid in performance, and comparatively perfectly safe in results. 
The operation consists in separating the testes from their 
attachments excepting the spermatic cords, around which 
place the compressor or House clamp, and squeeze or 
•compress the cords as tight as possible, this operation 
will bruise the blood-vessels and cause the formation of blood 
clots in the same. After a few seconds, sever the cords 
with the ecraseur and remove the testes, allowing about one 
inch to intervene between the point of severance and the place 
whereon the compress is placed, this space will contain a second 
bruise or blood-clot formation, which acts as a barrier to any 
danger from the removal of the first or upper clamp, and thus 
precludes the possibility of any extensive haemorrhage. Remove 
the clamp and the operation is completed, the cords will at once 
retract and re-enter the inguinal canals in nearly all cases, 
especially if the animal is standing. The edges of the wounds 
in the scrotum are left open and free, and the danger of the 
scirrhosis is avoided. If the ends of the cord fail to return, 
they should be pushed up. 
