The Cane

            This  is  the  second  in  my  series  of articles regarding
       various punishment implements and their usage.

            The cane is an excellent instrument for use in administering
       corporal punishment.  A cane is made from rattan and is  normally
       30  -  36 inches in length and comes in various diameters ranging
       from 1/4 to 3/4 inch.  Some canes have a crook at the end so that
       they may be hung.  Other  canes  are  straight  with  a  cork  or
       leather  handle, sometimes with a thong for hanging.  The cane is
       extremely flexible and can be carried in a briefcase, large  bag,
       or  kept  in a desk drawer.  When taken out, the cane will slowly
       resume its normal shape.  A good cane will last for years and not
       dry out like a willow or birch switch.  The cane is a  relatively
       quiet instrument (the recipient may be another story) as compared
       to  a  paddle or leather strap thus making it ideal for use where
       the sounds of punishment being administered may be overheard.

            A caning should always be administered on bared buttocks.  I
       will avoid discussion of rituals to be followed, as  each  of  us
       are  different.  You must ensure sufficient space is available to
       allow you to swing the cane without striking  another  object  or
       unintended recipient.  Good wrist action is important in applying
       the  cane  due  to  kinetic  energy build up caused by the cane's
       flexibility.  If the tip of the cane does not make direct contact
       with the victim, it will wrap around and snap  into  the  victim.
       Accordingly,  care  should  be  exercised  to  ensure  the tip is
       landing  within  the  target  area.   Normally  the  target  area
       includes  the  buttocks  and  upper  thighs.   The  cane  can  be
       extremely effective when striking the  cleft  between  the  lower
       portion  of  the  buttocks  and  upper  thighs.  When the cane is
       applied  with  proper  force,  a  white  raised  welt  will  form
       immediately  on the buttocks of the victim, this welt will redden
       within 30 to 45 seconds.  Unlike  most  instruments  of  corporal
       punishment,  the pain felt by the victim intensifies in the 30 to
       45 seconds immediatly following each stroke.  Because of this, it
       is best to delay between strokes, to allow for the full impact of
       the previous stroke to be felt.   After  a  period  of  time  and
       depending upon the force used, the welts will deepen in color and
       become bruises.  These bruises will normally go away in a week or
       so.   If  markings are a problem, use of lighter force will still
       be painful, but not bruise.  A well  caned  bottom  will  show  a
       series  of parrallel lines from the buttocks to the upper thighs.
       If you strike a previous welt, a diamond shaped bruise will  form
       at the point where the lines intersect.  Care should be exercised
       as striking a previous welt may cause blood blisters and breaking
       of the skin.  If you should break the skin, the cane should never
       be used on anyone other than the person whose skin was broken.

            The  person  being  caned may be asked to bend over and grab
       their ankles or touch their toes, but normally they are bent over
       an object such as a bed, back of a straight chair,  couch,  or  a
       desk.  Frequently,  the  hands  and  feet  of  the victim require
       restraint.  A horse or the whipping block referred to in  English
       literature  is  ideal  for this.  The whipping block has a padded
       bench which the victim kneels in front of and lies across.  There
       are normally restraints for the  wrists,  sometimes  a  strap  to
       fasten over the back of the victim, and restraint for the legs or
       feet.   Sometimes they actually have stocks.  You may require the
       victim to  spread  their  legs,  or  they  may  kneel  with  them
       together.  The  block  is  usually  slightly elevated to allow an
       uppercut type stroke into the  cleft  between  the  buttocks  and
       thighs.

            Traditional  English  folklore indicates that strokes of the
       cane are to be administered in groups of 6 with 24 being  maximum
       (this  assumes  a forceful caning, more strokes may be applied if
       using less force).  In cases of  severe  disobedience,  sometimes
       the 24 stroke maximum is exceeded.

            This  series has now discussed the paddle and the cane, next
       will be the strap.