There is nocturnal incontinence of urine for a
long time after the operation.
Examples of castration because of excessive cupidity, etc.,--a
most unwarranted operation,--are quite rare and are usually found
among ecclesiastics. The author of "Faustin, or le Siecle
Philosophique," remarked that there were more than 4000 castrated
individuals among the ecclesiastics and others of Italy. The
virtuous Pope Clement XIV forbade this practice, and describes it
as a terrible abuse; but in spite of the declaration of the Pope
the cities of Italy, for some time, still continued to contain
great numbers of these victims. In France an article was inserted
into the penal code providing severe punishment for such
mutilations. Fortunately castration for the production of
"castrata," or tenor singers, has almost fallen into disuse.
Among the ancient Egyptians and Persians amputation of the virile
member was inflicted for certain crimes of the nature of rape.
Castration as a religious rite has played a considerable role.
With all their might the Emperors Constantine and Justinian
opposed the delirious religion of the priests of Cybele, and
rendered their offence equivalent to homicide. At the annual
festivals of the Phrygian Goddess Amma (Agdistis) it was the
custom of young men to make eunuchs of themselves with sharp
shells, and a similar rite was recorded among Phoenicians.
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