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       P. C. Remondino

      History of Circumcision from the Earliest Times to the Present

      Moral and Physical Reasons for its Performance

      Published by Good Press, 2019

       [email protected]

      EAN 4057664655165

       PREFACE.

       INTRODUCTION.

       CHAPTER I. Antiquity of Circumcision.

       CHAPTER II. Theories as to the Origin of Circumcision.

       CHAPTER III. Spread of Circumcision.

       CHAPTER IV. Circumcision Among Savage Tribes.

       CHAPTER V. Infibulation, Muzzling, and other Curious Practices.

       CHAPTER VI. Attempts to Abolish Circumcision.

       CHAPTER VII. Miracles and the Holy Prepuce .

       CHAPTER VIII. History of Emasculation, Castration, and Eunuchism .

       CHAPTER IX. Philosophical Considerations Relating to Eunuchism and Medicine.

       CHAPTER X. Hermaphrodism and Hypospadias.

       CHAPTER XI. Religio Medici.

       CHAPTER XII. Hebraic Circumcision.

       CHAPTER XIII. Mezizah, the Fourth or Objectionable Act of Suction.

       CHAPTER XIV. What are the Benefits of Circumcision?

       CHAPTER XV. Predisposition to and Exemption and Immunity from Disease .

       CHAPTER XVI. The Prepuce, Syphilis, and Phthisis .

       CHAPTER XVII. Some Reasons for Being Circumcised.

       CHAPTER XVIII. The Prepuce as an Outlaw, and its Effects on the Glans.

       CHAPTER XIX. Is the Prepuce a Natural Physiological Appendage?

       CHAPTER XX. The Prepuce, Phimosis, and Cancer.

       CHAPTER XXI. The Prepuce and Gangrene of the Penis.

       CHAPTER XXII. The Prepuce, Calculi, and Other Annoyances.

       CHAPTER XXIII. Reflex Neuroses and the Prepuce.

       CHAPTER XXIV. Dysuria, Enuresis, and Retention of Urine.

       CHAPTER XXV. General Systemic Diseases Induced by the Prepuce.

       CHAPTER XXVI. Surgical Operations Performed on the Prepuce.

       NOTES TO TEXT.

       WORKS AND AUTHORITIES QUOTED.

       INDEX

       Table of Contents

      In ancient Egypt the performance of circumcision was at one time limited to the priesthood, who, in addition to the cleanliness that this operation imparted to that class, added the shaving of the whole body as a means of further purification. The nobility, royalty, and the higher warrior class seem to have adopted circumcision as well, either as a hygienic precaution or as an aristocratic prerogative and insignia. Among the Greeks we find a like practice, and we are told that in the times of Pythagoras the Greek philosophers were also circumcised, although we find no mention that the operation went beyond the intellectual class. In the United States, France, and in England, there is a class which also observe circumcision as a hygienic precaution, where, from my personal observation, I have found that circumcision is thoroughly practiced in every male member of many of the families of the class—this being the physician class. In general conversation with physicians on this subject, it has really been surprising to see the large number who have had themselves circumcised, either through the advice of some college professor while attending lectures or as a result of their own subsequent convictions when engaged in actual practice and daily coming in contact both with the benefits that are to be derived in the way of a better physical, mental, and moral health, as well as with the many dangers and disadvantages that follow the uncircumcised—the latter being probably the most frequent incentive and determinator—as in many of these latter examples the operation of circumcision, with its pains, annoyances, and possible and probable dangers, sink into the most trifling insignificance in comparison to some of the results that are daily observed as the tribute that is paid by the unlucky and unhappy wearer of a prepuce for the privilege of possessing such an appendage.

      There is one thing that must be admitted concerning circumcision: this being that, among medical men or men of ordinary intelligence who have had the operation performed, instead of being dissatisfied, they have extended the advantages they have themselves received, by having those in their charge likewise operated upon. The practice is now much more prevalent than is supposed, as there are many Christian families where males are regularly circumcised soon after birth, who simply do so as a hygienic measure.

      For the benefit of these, who may congratulate themselves upon the dangers and annoyances that they and their families have

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