There is a much quoted case of castration that occurred in April 1790, near London. A half-wit named James Trotter had sired three illegitimate children who had to be supported by the parish. The Parish Council, apparently resenting this situation, decided to have the man castrated. He was taken by force and castrated, naturally enough without anaesthetic, by the local pig-butcher. No details are given of how Mr. Trotter behaved thereafter.