The cases, it has been thought, that fully justify this operation are
those guilty of repeated criminal assaults.
Such a claim arises out of insufficient knowledge of the physiology of
sex, and the pathology of crime. Emasculation would have little
influence in preventing a recurrence of this crime, for the operation
does not render its subjects immediately impotent, nor does it change
their sexual nature any more than it beautifies their character.
The instinct remains, and the power to gratify it remains at least for
some years. With the less knowledge of surgery of earlier times, a
social condition in which such a practice might be rationally
considered, is conceivable, but with the present state of our
profession, such measures would be unthinkable.
CHAPTER XI.
TUBO-LIGATURE.
_The fertility of the criminal a greater danger to society than his
depradations._--_Artificial sterility of women._--_The menopause
artificially induced._--_Untoward results._--_The physiology of the
Fallopian tubes._--_Their ligature procures permanent sterility._--_No
other results immediate or remote._--_Some instances due to
disease._--_Defective women and the wives of defective men would welcome
protection from unhealthy offspring.
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