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Preputial infibulation: from ancient medicine to modern genital piercing
Author(s) -
Schultheiss D.,
Mattelaer J.J.,
Hodges F.M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.2003.04490.x
Subject(s) - preputial gland , sex organ , history , ancient history , foreskin , medicine , surgery , biology , genetics , cell culture
Procedures to prevent the eversion of the foreskin have been in use since antiquity for various reasons. Beginning in ancient Rome as a supposed means of preserving the voice, preputial infibulation largely disappeared in Europe until it experienced a revival during the Victorian era as a clinical weapon in the medical ‘war on masturbation’. Although circumcision was the most common method of preventing masturbation in the USA and Britain, infibulation was frequently used as an alternative, being used in mental institutions and orphan asylums, and receiving endorsement from leading medical authorities.