And who knows when this information might come in handy?

Nineteenth-century accounts shed light on how the castration procedure was undertaken in China where total castration was the norm and the “eunuch-maker” was a special occupation. In preparation for surgery, the patient’s abdomen and upper thighs were tightly bound with strings or bandages that left the penis and scrotum exposed. These were then washed three times in hot pepper water while the patient sat in a semireclining position on a heated piece of furniture known in Chinese as the kang. The “eunuch-maker” repeatedly questioned the patient whether he really wanted to go through with the surgery. If the patient confirmed his commitment, he was firmly held down by assistants while his penis and scrotum were cut off with one sweep of a razor sharp sickle-shaped knife. The urethra was plugged and blocked off, and the wound was covered by paper soaked in cold water; tight bandages were applied. The assistant then had to walk the patient around for two or three hours before allowing him to lie down. He was forbidden to take fluids for three days. After this period was over, the urethra plug was removed and if urine gushed out, the operation was regarded as a success. If no urine appeared, the prognosis was that the man would soon die an agonizing death. After castration, the eunuch’s genitals were put in a container where they were pickled, after which they were returned to him for safekeeping. The eunuch would have to present them for advancement in rank, and after his death, his genitals would be buried together with the corpse.