YB: In regard to my understanding of whipping, before I print this info I must warn all of you it is quite graphic. Don't want to offend anyone, so if you are one of a weak stomach, don't read any further. Skip the post. Now that you have been warned, here is what was said about whipping:
Apparently they apply some kind of highly caustic sludge coating on the length of the baton. At the point of the whipping, the slapping sound mostly comes from the sludge contacting the flesh and not the baton itself. The real pain apparently comes from when the acid pulls away some of the flesh (like flypaper glue) upon retracting the baton for a second whip.
It is said that the pain is so extreme at times that more often than not the victim loses their bowel controls and often a doctor is called in to ascertain the fitness of the prisoner before they conduct another whipping.
No more than two whippings can be applied within a span of 3 months, which is usually the time it takes for the wounds to heal. Note that they do not necessarily have to whip the buttocks to be classified as a proper whipping. They have been known to hit just below the tailbone or even lower than the buttocks rendering the person unable to walk for weeks.
That's why I thought it was more severe than caning. Not that either one is one I would want to receive. Maybe they are both the same as far as pain and damage inflicted.