If the vasectomized man is impotent, the following cases are also impotent: 1. A man whose germ-cells have been destroyed by the action of the X-ray. 2. A man with double permanent occluding epididymitis. 3. A man whose vasa deferentia open into the ureters and not into the urethra. 4. A man whose vasa are shut by surgical operations for stone, or cysts of the prostate, or seminal vesicles. 5. A man whose seminal vesicles are shut by concretions, cysts, or tumors. 6. A man with bilateral cryptorchidism. 7. A man with a tuberculous condition of the testicles. 8. A man with absolute neurotic aspermia. 9. A man with congenital lack of development of the testicles or vasa. Sterility in the male would exist only in advanced diabetes, general tuberculosis, senility, or in cases of absent or diseased prostate gland or seminal vesicles. Here it is worth noting that since the copula must be natural, fit for generation in the natural manner, artificial impregnation by the use of instruments is immoral, and forbidden by a decree of the Holy Office, promulgated March 24, 1897. Artificial impregnation does not effect a copula which is by its nature proper to generation, but is an act contrary to nature, one from which generation does not follow in a natural manner, _secundum communem speciem actus_. It supposes deliberate pollution and semination outside the vagina, both of which actions are intrinsically evil. In discussing the morality of vasectomy the following points must be considered: 1. In what degree of mutilation is vasectomy? 2. Vasectomy may be done either at the request or by the permission of the vasectomized person; or by order of the State. (_a_) If done by the request or permission of the vasectomized person, it may be either (1) as a means to use the debitum without the inconvenience of having children; or (2) as a therapeutic measure to cure some malady. (_b_) If done by order of the State, it may be (1) a punishment; or (2) a prophylactic measure to avert physical or moral evil in society. If vasectomy causes canonical impotence, that fact adds a special moral quality. The weight of authority is on the side that it does cause canonical impotence, as has already been mentioned. A slight mutilation, in the sense of the term as commonly used, can be any permanent effect of a wound, bruise, or similar cause, from a mere scar to an amputation or other injury whereby any member of the body is rendered unfit for normal action. That the causal wound or injury is trivial in itself, apart from its effect, as in vasectomy, has little or no direct bearing on the morality of the mutilation. It is possible to have a very gross mutilation without extensive wounding. We can blind a man permanently by putting the point of a fine cambric needle one-twentieth of an inch within the pupil.