Yeah, we used to castrate the bull calves that way. Basically kills the flesh and it rots off. Gangrene is a potential consequence. As for the article, with all respect, I'm calling BS. You still risk re-occurrence. I've had hemorroids twice in my over sixty years. Each time it lasted 2-3 weeks with about 1 week of that being 'acute'. You should know how 'timing is everything' with respect to medical care. In other words, many conditions are self limiting. However, if you go and see your Dr.. usually at the 'crisis-point', whatever the Dr. does gets credit for the cure even though it would have cleared up if you'd just hung in there or used common sense remedies.