William Acton

William Acton (1813 – 1875) was a nineteenth century English physician and author 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 quoted Lalemand in his own books.

Acton later devoted his efforts to the suppression of child masturbation, which was then thought to produce phthisis, blindness, insanity, and other disorders. Robert Darby (2003) wrote:

“

William Acton's opinion that childhood ought to be a period of "absolute sexual quiescence" was an important influence here. If any manifestation of sexual capacity before puberty was pathological rather than normal, it had to be eliminated, and corrective surgery, including circumcision, was one of the usual means. – Robert Darby

Publications

• Acton W (1851): A Practical Treatise on Diseases of the Urinary and Generative Organs in Both Sexes. London: Churchill. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
• Acton W (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 W (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.

See also

• United Kingdom