I am hardly an expert on this but I thought that castration in many Asian
empires was specifically surgical removal of the scrotum.  The purpose was
to bar administrators, keepers of the harem, and even generals and admirals
from producing dynasties to replace the one they served.  (The Byzantine
Emperor Justinian's admiral Narsus, for example, was a eunuch.)  This, of
course, would mean removing the glands that produce testosterone but not a
removal of the male member itself.

Sorry, I know this is a listserve we don't mind our children reading we're
so polite, but I thought this subject needed clarification.

Harold S. Forsythe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Louise Bernikow" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 1:34 PM
Subject: Re: New World Movie


> which historian, where can we find, the speculation about castration by
> the
> turks and possible sexual debilities of John Smith? what an intriguing
> idea.
> thanks. Louise Bernikow
>
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