Castrating 183 
There are two positions in which animals are placed 
for castration. The standing position can be used for 
colts or bulls. The colt should be placed with his 
left side to a wall, and restrained by a twist on his 
nose. The operator, standing on the right side of 
the colt, grasps the scrotum above the testicles with 
the left hand, and with the right makes two incisions 
into the scrotum, exposing both testicles, which are 
then drawn down and removed with an emasculator, 
or “ecraseur.” Bulls can be confined in a narrow stall, 
with a stanchion, the head drawn well to one side 
and fastened with a halter. The operator grasps the 
scrotum, reaching between the hind legs with the left 
hand, and operates as on a colt. 
The general method of operating is by confining 
the animal in a recumbent position. In small animals 
this is easily done by an assistant holding the animal 
in his lap, grasping the two right legs in his right 
hand and the two left in his left hand. Colts are 
thrown and confined by “side-lines,” the legs drawn 
well forward and high up on the shoulder to prevent 
struggling. The colt is placed on his left side or 
back, the operator standing by the right hip. The 
scrotum should be well washed and antisepties used. 
If one testicle is smaller than the other, remove it 
first; otherwise remove the lower one first. Grasp the 
scrotum firmly below the testicles, squeezing them 
against the skin to draw it tight. Make the incision 
close to the line (raphe) which divides the scrotum 
in the middle, and well forward; the incision should 
be large enough to allow the testicle to slip out freely, 
