William Acton
William Acton (1813–1875)) was a nineteenth century English physician from Dorset.
Acton was influenced by French physician Claude François Lallemand, who recommended circumcision to prevent spermatorrhea (excessive, involuntary ejaculation), which was then believed to be a disease.
Acton later devoted his efforts to the suppression of child masturbation, which was then thought to produce blindness and other disorders.
Publications
Acton, William (1851): A Practical Treatise on Diseases of the Urinary and Generative Organs in Both Sexes. London: Churchill. Retrieved 29 June 2022.- Acton, William (1857): Prostitution, Considered in Its Moral, Social, and Sanitary Aspects, in London and Other Large Cities and Garrison Towns, with Proposals for the Mitigation and Prevention of Its Attendant Evils. London: Churchill. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- Acton, William (1862): The Functions and Disorders of the Reproductive Organs in Childhood, Youth, Adult Age, and Advanced Life: Considered in Their Physiological, Social, and Moral Relations. London: Churchill. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
