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{{Construction Site}} Many Americans are surprised to hear that [[circumcision ]] (the surgical removal of the foreskin) is uncommon in the western world. Foreigners are often shocked when they first hear that the practice of circumcision even exists in the United States. Circumcision was first introduced in the United States by an anti-sexual Victorian initiative which began during the 1830’s. Numerous publications from the 1830’s to times even as late as the 1970’s had advocated for circumcision as a means to prevent masturbation, and to permanently desensitize, denude, and immobilize the penis.<ref> Lallemand C-F. Des Pertes Seminales Involontaires, 3 vols. Pasis: Becht Jeune 1836, 1839, 1842. Vol1.,pp.463-1: vol2., 70-162; vol. 3,.pp266-7,280-9 </ref><ref> Dixon EH. A Treatise on Diseases of the Sexual organs. New York: Burgess, Stringer & Co. 1845. pp.158-65</ref><ref> Moses MJ. The Value of circumcision as a hygienic and therapeutic measure. New York medical journal 1871 Nov;14(4):368-74</ref><ref name=Kellogg>Kellogg, J.H. (1888). "Treatment for Self-Abuse and Its Effects". Plain Facts for Old and Young. Burlington, Iowa: F. Segner & Co. Plain Facts for Old and Young (1881 edition) at Project Gutenberg http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/KelPlai.html Retrived 3/21/11 </ref><ref> Hutchinson J. On Circumcision as preventive of masturbation. Archives of surgery 1891 Jan;2(7);267-9</ref><ref> Remondino PC. Negro rapes and their social problems. National popular review 1894 Jan;4(1) 3-6</ref><ref> Cockshut RW. Circumcision. British Medical Journal 1935 Oct 19;2(3902):764</ref><ref> Guttmacher AF. Should the baby be circumcised? Parents Magazine 1941 sept; 16(9):26,76-8</ref><ref> Miller RL. Snyder DC. Immediate circumcision of the new born male. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1953, Jan;6 (1):1-11</ref><ref> Fishbein M. Sex hygiene. In: Fishbein M(ed). Modern Home Medical Adviser. Garden City, New York Doubleday& Company:1969. pp. 90. 119.</ref><ref> M. F. Campbell, "The Male Genital Tract and the Female Urethra," in Urology, eds. M. F. Campbell and J. H. Harrison, vol. 2, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1970),1836.</ref>[[Image:FGC.jpeg|right|thumb|From Historical American Female Circumcision medical papers]] Circumcision advocates quickly moved on to manufacture a number of outrageous health claims. These claims were tailored to the fears and anxieties of the day. Circumcision has been claimed to cure epilepsy, convulsions, paralysis, elephantiasis, tuberculosis, eczema, bed-wetting, hip-joint disease, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, wet dreams, hernia, headaches, nervousness, hysteria, poor eyesight, idiocy, mental retardation, insanity, strabismus, hydrocephalus, clubfoot, cancer, STD’s, UTI’s, etc.<ref> F. A. Hodges, "Short History of the Institutionalization of Involuntary Sexual Mutilation in the United States,Lallemand" in G. C. Denniston and M. F. Milos, eds., Sexual Mutilations: A Human Tragedy (New York: Plenum Press, 1997), 35.</ref>Doctors were eager to claim that they could prevent and cure many of these aliments, conditions and diseases because there were no treatments available then. Even though all of these claims have been throughly discredited, circumcision has remained a solution in search of a problem ever since. Many Americans are surprised to find out that female genital cutting (FGC) shares a strikingly similar history in the United States. <ref name=Kellogg/><ref> Robert Tuttle Morris, M.D. Is evolution trying to do away with the clitoris? American Association of OB/GYNs Vol.5, 1892, pp.288-302.</ref><ref> T. Scott McFarland, M.D. Circumcision of Girls. Journal of Orificial Surgery. Vol.7,July 1898,pp.31-33.</ref><ref> Benjamin E. Dawson, A.M., M.D. Circumcision in the Female: Its Necessity and How to Perform it. American Journal of Clinical Medicine. Vol.22, No. 6, June 1915, pp.520-525. </ref><ref> Belle C. Eskridge M.D. Why not circumcise the girl as well as the boy? Texas State Journal of Medicine Vol. 14, May 1918.</ref><ref> Mc Donald, C.F., M.D. Circumcision of the female. General Practitioner Vol. 18 No3, Sept 1958, pp.98-99.</ref><ref> W.G. Rathmann M.D. Female Circumcision: Indications and a new Technique. General practitioner Vol. 20, No.3, Sept 1959, pp.115-120.</ref>FGC was even covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield until 1977. Nowadays, many forms of FGC are now considered forms of female genital mutilation (FGM), which are banned in all western countries. == History of circumcision in the western world == === Timeline (1832-present) === * 1832 [[Claude-Francois Lallemand]] circumcises a patient to '''cure''' him '''from nocturnal seminal emissions''' (i.e. wet dreams).<ref>{{REFbook

* 1845 [[Edward H. Dixon]] declares that circumcision '''prevents masturbation'''.<refname="Dixon">{{REFbook

* 1855 [[Johnathon Hutchinson]] publishes his theory that circumcision '''prevents syphilis'''<ref name="Moses1871">{{REFjournal | last=Moses | first=M.J.:: [On the Influence | coauthors= | title=The value of Circumcision in Preventing Syphilis. ''circumcision as a hygienic and therapeutic measure | journal=New York Medical Times and Gazette.'' 1855;32(844):542Journal | date=1871 Nov | volume=14 | issue=4 | pages=368-543]374 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI=* 1865 [[Nathaniel Heckford]] claims that circumcision '''cures epilepsy'''. | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Kellogg1888">{{REFbook | last=Kellogg:: [Circumcision as a remedial measure in certain cases of epilepsy | first=John Harvey | year=1888 | title=Plain Facts for Old and choreaYoung. | url=http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/KelPlai. ''Clinical Lectures and Reports by the Medical html | work= | editor=Project Gutenberg | edition=1881 edition | volume= | chapter=Treatment for Self-Abuse and Surgical Staff of the London Hospital'' 1865;2:58-64]Its Effects | pages=* 1870 [[Lewis A | location=Burlington, Iowa | publisher=F. Sayre]] publishes a paper 'proving' that Segner & Co | isbn= | quote= | accessdate=2011-03-21 | note=}}</ref><ref name="Hutchinson1891">{{REFjournal | last=Hutchinson | first=Johnathan | coauthors= | title=On circumcision '''cures epilepsy'''.as preventive of masturbation:: [Circumcision versus epilepsy, etc; Transcription of the New York Pathological Society meeting of June 8, 1870 | journal=Archives of Surgery | date=1891 Jan | volume=2 | issue=7 | pages=267-269 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Remondino1894">{{REFjournal | last=Remondino | first=P. ''Medical RecordC.'' 1870 Jul 15;5(10):231 | coauthors= | title=Negro rapes and their social problems | journal=National Popular Review | date=1894 Jan | volume=4 | issue=1 | pages=3-4]6* 1870 [[Lewis A | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Cockshut1935">{{REFjournal | last=Cockshut | first=R. Sayre]] declares that circumcision '''prevents spinal paralysis'''W.:: [Partial paralysis from reflex irritation, caused by congenital phimosis and adherent prepuce. ''Transactions of the American | coauthors= | title=Circumcision | journal=British Medical Association.'' 1870;21:205Journal | date=1935-10-11]19 | volume=2 | issue=3902 | pages=764 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Guttmacher1941">{{REFjournal | last=Guttmacher* 1871 [[M.J. Moses]] declares that Jews are '''immune to masturbation because of circumcision''' | first=Allan F.:: [The value of circumcision as a hygienic and therapeutic measure. ''New York Medical Journal'' 1871 Nov;14(4):368-74] | coauthors= | title=Should the baby be circumcised? | journal=Parents Magazine | date=1941 Sep | volume=16 | issue=9 | pages=26,76-78 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="MillerSnyder1953">{{REFjournal | last=Miller | first=R.L.* 1873 [[Joseph Bell]] announces his discovery that | coauthors=D.C. Snyder | title=Immediate circumcision '''cures bed wetting'''.of the newborn male:: [Nocturnal incontinence | journal=American Journal of urine cured by circumcision. ''Edinburgh Medical Journal'' 1873 May;Obstetrics and Gynecology | date=1953 Jan | volume=6 | issue=1(9):1034]* 1875 [[Lewis A. Sayre]] declares that '''foreskin causes curvature of the spine, paralysis of the bladder, and clubfoot'''. | pages=1-11 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Fishbein1969">{{REFbook | last=Fishbein | first=Morris | year=1969 | title=Modern Home Medical Adviser | url= | work= | editor=Garden City | edition= | volume= | chapter=Sex hygiene:: [Spinal anaemia with partial paralysis and want of coordination, from irritation of the genital organs | pages=90+119 | location=New York | publisher=Doubleday & Co | isbn= | quote= | accessdate= | note=}}</ref><ref>{{REFbook | last=Campbell | first=M.F. ''Transactions of the American Medical Association'' 1875;26:255-74]* 1879 [[H | year=1970 | title=Urology | url= | work= | editor= M.HF. Kane]] 'discovers' that circumcision '''cures nocturnal emissions and abdominal neuralgia'''Campbell and J. H.Harrison:: [Seminal emissions, abdominal neuralgia: circumcision: cure | edition=3 | volume= 2 | chapter=The Male Genital Tract and the Female Urethra | pages=1836 | location=Philadelphia | publisher=W. ''Southern ClinicB.'' 1879 Oct;2(1)Saunders | isbn= | quote= | accessdate= | note=}}</ref>[[Image:8-11FGC.jpeg|right|thumb|From Historical American Female Circumcision medical papers]]* 1881 [[Maximillian Landesburg]] announces that circumcision '''cures eye problems''' that he believed Circumcision advocates quickly moved on to manufacture a number of outrageous health claims. These claims were '''caused by masturbation'''tailored to the fears and anxieties of the day.:: [On affections of the eye caused by masturbation. ''Medical Bulletin.'' 1881 Apr;3(4):79Circumcision has been claimed to cure epilepsy, convulsions, paralysis, elephantiasis, tuberculosis, eczema, bed-wetting, hip-81]* 1886 [[William Gjoint disease, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, wet dreams, hernia, headaches, nervousness, hysteria, poor eyesight, idiocy, mental retardation, insanity, strabismus, hydrocephalus, clubfoot, cancer, STD’s, UTI’s, etc.<ref> F. A. Eggleston]] declares that '''foreskin causes crossed eyes'''Hodges, "Short History of the Institutionalization of Involuntary Sexual Mutilation in the United States," in G. C. Denniston and M. F. Milos, eds., Sexual Mutilations:A Human Tragedy (New York: [Two cases of reflex paraplegia(one with aphasiaPlenum Press, 1997) from tape-worm , 35.</ref>Doctors were eager to claim that they could prevent and phimosis. ''Journal cure many of these aliments, conditions and diseases because there were no treatments available then. Even though all of these claims have been throughly discredited, circumcision has remained a solution in search of the American Medical Associationa problem ever since.'' 1886 May 8;6(19Many Americans are surprised to find out that female genital cutting (FGC):511-5]shares a strikingly similar history in the United States. <ref name="Kellogg1888"/><ref>{{REFjournal | last=Morris | first=Robert Tuttle | coauthors=* 1888 [[John Harvey Kellogg]] promotes '''circumcision as punishment''' for boys | title=Is evolution trying to discourage them from masturbating.do away with the clitoris? | journal=American Association of OB/GYNs:: [Treatment for Self | date=1892 | volume=5 | issue= | pages=288-abuse and Its Effects, ''Plain Facts for Old and Young'', Burlington, Iowa, F302 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="McFarland1898">{{REFjournal | last=McFarland | first=T. Segner & Co. (1888) p. 107]Scott | coauthors=* 1890 [[William D. Gentry]] declares that circumcision cures blindness, deafness and dumbness. | title=Circumcision of girls | journal=Journal of Orificial Surgery:: [Nervous derangements produced by sexual irregularities in boys. ''Medical Current.'' 1890 Jul;6( | date=1898 Jul | volume=7):268 | issue= | pages=31-74]33 | url= | quote=* 1891 [[Johnathan Hutchinson]] declares that '''foreskin encourages boys to masturbate'''. | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref>:: [On circumcision as preventive of masturbation<ref name="Dawson1915">{{REFjournal | last=Dawson | first=Benjamin E. ''Archives | coauthors= | title=Circumcision in the Female: Its Necessity and How to Perform It | journal=American Journal of Surgery.'' 1891 Jan;2(7):267Clinical Medicine | date=1915 Jun | volume=22 | issue=66 | pages=520-9]523 | url= | quote=* 1893 [[Mark J. Lehman]] demands immediate implementation of mass circumcision of all American boys | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Eskridge1918">{{REFjournal | last=Eskridge | first=Belle C.:: [A plea for circumcision. ''Medical Review.'' 1893 Jul 22;28(4):64-5] | coauthors=* 1894 [[P.C. Remondino]] says '''circumcising blacks will help prevent them from raping whites'''. | title=Why not circumcise the girl as well as the boy? | journal=Texas State Journal of Medicine | date=1918 May | volume=14 | issue=:: [Negro rapes and their social problems | pages=17-19 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="McDonald1958">{{REFjournal | last=McDonald | first=C. ''National Popular ReviewF.'' 1894 Jan;4(1): | coauthors= | title=Circumcision of the female | journal=General Practitioner | date=1958 Sep | volume=18 | issue=3 | pages=98-6]99 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref>* 1894 [[H.L. Rosenberry]] publishes paper 'proving' that circumcision '''cures urinary and rectal incontinence'''.<ref name="Rathmann1959">{{REFjournal | last= | first= | coauthors= | title=Female Circumcision:: [Incontinence of the urine and faeces, cured Indications and a New Technique | journal=General Practitioner | date=1959 Sep | volume=20 | issue=9 | pages=115-120 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref>FGC was even covered by circumcisionBlue Cross Blue Shield until 1977. ''Medical Record'' 1894 Aug 11;4Nowadays, many forms of FGC are now considered forms of female genital mutilation (6FGM):173], which are banned in all western countries. * 1898 == History of circumcision in the western world == === 19th century === * 1832 [[T. Scott McFarlandClaude-Francois Lallemand]] says he has "circumcised as many girls as boys, and always with happy results.":: [Circumcision of girls. circumcises a patient to '''cure''' him '''Journal of Orificial Surgery.from nocturnal seminal emissions'' 1898 Jul;7:31-33]' (i.e. wet dreams).<ref name="Lallemand"/> * 1900 1845 [[Johnathan HutchinsonEdward H. Dixon]] advises declares that circumcision as way to '''decrease the pleasure of sex''', and hence to '''discourage sexual immoralityprevents masturbation'''.<ref name="Dixon"/> :: * 1855 [[The advantages of Johnathon Hutchinson]] publishes his theory that circumcision. ''The Polyclinic.'prevents syphilis''' 1900 Sep;3(9):129-31].<ref>{{REFjournal* 1901 [[Ernest G. Mark]] notes that | last=Hutchinson | first=Johnathon | coauthors= | title=On the "pleasurable sensations that are elicited from the extremely sensitive" inner lining Influence of the foreskin may encourage a child to masturbate, which is why he recommends circumcision since it "lessens the sensitiveness of the organ".Circumcision in Preventing Syphilis:: [Circumcision. ''American Practitioner | journal=Medical Times and News.'' 1901 Feb 15;31(4):122-6]Gazette* 1902 | date=1855 | volume=32 | issue=844 | pages=542-543 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1865 [[Roswell ParkNathaniel Heckford]] publishes paper claims that circumcision 'proving' that '''foreskin causes cures epilepsy''' and that circumcision cures it.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Heckford | first=Nathaniel | coauthors=:: [The surgical treatment | title=Circumcision as a remedial measure in certain cases of epilepsy. ''American Medicine.'' 1902 Nov 22;4(21):807-9]and chorea* 1914 [[Abraham L. Wolbarst]] claims that circumcision '''prevents tuberculosis''' | journal=Clinical Lectures and Reports by the Medical and demands Surgical Staff of the compulsory circumcision of all children in America.London Hospital | date=1865 | volume=2 | issue= | pages=58-64 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> :: * 1870 [[Universal circumcision as Lewis A. Sayre]] publishes a sanitary measure. paper 'proving' that circumcision '''Journal of the American Medical Associationcures epilepsy'' 1914 Jan 10;62(2):92-7]'.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Sayre* 1915 [[Benjamin E | first=Lewis A. Dawson]] says that since | coauthors= | title=Circumcision versus epilepsy, etc; Transcription of the '''clitoral hood is the source New York Pathological Society meeting of many neuroses'''June 8, female circumcision is necessary.1870 | journal=Medical Record | date=1870-07-15 | volume=5 | issue=10 | pages=231-234 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> :: * 1870 [[Circumcision in the Female: Its Necessity and How to Perform ItLewis A. Sayre]] declares that circumcision '''American Journal of Clinical Medicine.prevents spinal paralysis'' 1915 Jun;22(6):520-523]'.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Sayre | first=Lewis A. | coauthors=* 1918 [[Belle Eskridge]] concludes circumcision will '''relieve one | title=Partial paralysis from reflex irritation, caused by congenital phimosis and adherent prepuce | journal=Transactions of the greatest causes of masturbation''' in girls.American Medical Association | date=1870 | volume=21 | issue= | pages=205-211 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> :: * 1871 [[Why not circumcise the girl as well as the boy?, M.J. Moses]] declares that Jews are '''Texas State Journal immune to masturbation because of Medicine.circumcision'' 1918 May;14:17-19]'.<ref name="Moses1871"/> * 1926 1873 [[Abraham L. WolbarstJoseph Bell]] claims announces his discovery that circumcision '''prevents penile cancercures bed wetting'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Bell | first=Joseph | coauthors=:: [Is | title=Nocturnal incontinence of urine cured by circumcision a prophylactic against penis cancer? | journal=Edinburgh Medical Journal | date=1873 May | volume=1 | issue=9 | pages=1034 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1875 [[Lewis A. Sayre]] declares that ''Cancer.'' 1926 Jul;3(4):301-10]foreskin causes curvature of the spine, paralysis of the bladder, and clubfoot'''.<ref>{{REFjournal* 1930 [[Norton Henry Bare]] claims that he has cured a boy of '''epilepsy''' by circumcising him. | last=Sayre:: [Surgical treatment | first=Lewis A. | coauthors= | title=Spinal anaemia with partial paralysis and want of epilepsy with report coordination, from irritation of case. ''The China the genital organs | journal=Transactions of the American Medical Journal.'' 1930 Nov;4(11):1109Association | date=1875 | volume=26 | issue= | pages=255-13274 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1879 [[H.H. Kane]]'discovers' that circumcision '''cures nocturnal emissions and abdominal neuralgia'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Kane | first=H.H. | coauthors= | title=Seminal emissions, abdominal neuralgia: circumcision: cure | journal=Southern Clinic | date=1879 Oct | volume=2 | issue=1 | pages=8-11 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1881 [[Maximillian Landesburg]] announces that circumcision '''cures eye problems''' that he believed were '''caused by masturbation'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Landesburg | first=Maximillian | coauthors= | title=On affections of the eye caused by masturbation | journal=Medical Bulletin | date=1881 Apr | volume=3 | issue=4 | pages=79-81 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1886 [[William G. Eggleston]] declares that '''foreskin causes crossed eyes'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Eggleston | first=William G. | coauthors= | title=Two cases of reflex paraplegia(one with aphasia) from tape-worm and phimosis | journal=Journal of the American Medical Association | date=1886-05-08 | volume=6 | issue=19 | pages=511-515 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1888 [[John Harvey Kellogg]] promotes '''circumcision as punishment''' for boys to discourage them from masturbating.<ref>{{REFbook | last=Kellogg | first=John Harvey | year=1888 | title=Plain Facts for Old and Young | url= | work= | editor= | edition= | volume= | chapter= | pages=107 | location=Burlington, Iowa | publisher=F. Segner & Co | isbn= | quote= | accessdate= | note=}}</ref> * 1890 [[William D. Gentry]] declares that circumcision cures blindness, deafness and dumbness.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Gentry | first=William D. | coauthors= | title=Nervous derangements produced by sexual irregularities in boys | journal=Medical Current | date=1890 Jul | volume=6 | issue=7 | pages=268-274 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1891 [[Johnathan Hutchinson]] declares that '''foreskin encourages boys to masturbate'''.<ref name="Hutchinson1891"/> * 1893 [[Mark J. Lehman]] demands immediate implementation of mass circumcision of all American boys.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Lehman | first=Mark J. | coauthors= | title=A plea for circumcision | journal=Medical Review | date=1893-07-22 | volume=28 | issue=4 | pages=65-65 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1894 [[P.C. Remondino]] says '''circumcising blacks will help prevent them from raping whites'''.<ref name="Remondino1894"/> * 1894 [[H.L. Rosenberry]] publishes paper 'proving' that circumcision '''cures urinary and rectal incontinence'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Rosenberry | first=H.L. | coauthors= | title=Incontinence of the urine and faeces, cured by circumcision | journal=Medical Record | date=1894-08-11 | volume=4 | issue=6 | pages=173 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1898 [[T. Scott McFarland]] says he has "circumcised as many girls as boys, and always with happy results."<ref name="McFarland1898"/> === 20st century === * 1900 [[Johnathan Hutchinson]] advises circumcision as way to '''decrease the pleasure of sex''', and hence to '''discourage sexual immorality'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Hutchinson | first=Johnathan | coauthors= | title=The advantages of circumcision | journal=The Polyclinic | date=1900 Sep | volume=3 | issue=9 | pages=129-131 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1901 [[Ernest G. Mark]] notes that the "pleasurable sensations that are elicited from the extremely sensitive" inner lining of the foreskin may encourage a child to masturbate, which is why he recommends circumcision since it "lessens the sensitiveness of the organ". <ref>{{REFjournal | last=Mark | first=Ernest G. | coauthors= | title=Circumcision | journal=American Practitioner and News | date=1901-02-15 | volume=31 | issue=4 | pages=122-126 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1902 [[Roswell Park]] publishes paper 'proving' that '''foreskin causes epilepsy''' and that circumcision cures it.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Park | first=Roswell | coauthors= | title=The surgical treatment of epilepsy | journal=American Medicine | date=1902-11-22 | volume=4 | issue=21 | pages=807-809 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1914 [[Abraham L. Wolbarst]] claims that circumcision '''prevents tuberculosis''' and demands the compulsory circumcision of all children in America.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Wolbarst | first=Abraham L. | coauthors= | title=Universal circumcision as a sanitary measure | journal=Journal of the American Medical Association | date=1914-01-10 | volume=62 | issue=2 | pages=92-97 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1915 [[Benjamin E. Dawson]] says that since the '''clitoral hood is the source of many neuroses''', female circumcision is necessary.<ref name="Dawson1915"/> * 1918 [[Belle Eskridge]] concludes circumcision will '''relieve one of the greatest causes of masturbation''' in girls.<ref name="Eskridge1918"/> * 1926 [[Abraham L. Wolbarst]] claims that circumcision '''prevents penile cancer'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Wolbarst | first=Abraham L. | coauthors= | title=Is circumcision a prophylactic against penis cancer? | journal=Cancer | date=1926 Jul | volume=3 | issue=4 | pages=301-310 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1930 [[Norton Henry Bare]] claims that he has cured a boy of '''epilepsy''' by circumcising him.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Bare | first=Norton Henry | coauthors= | title=Surgical treatment of epilepsy with report of case | journal=The China Medical Journal | date=1930 Nov | volume=4 | issue=11 | pages=1109-1113 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref>

 * 1934 [[Aaron Goldstein]] and [[Hiram S. Yellen]] invent and mass market the [[Gomco]] clamp which makes it easier for doctors to cut off even more skin than in traditional circumcisions.<ref>{{REFjournal:: [ | last=Goldstein | first=Aaron | coauthors=Hiram S. Yellen | title=Bloodless circumcision of the newborn. '' | journal=American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.'' | date=July 1935; | volume=30( | issue=1): | pages=146-7]147 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1935 [[R.W. Cockshut]] demands that all boys be circumcised in order to '''desensitize the penis and promote chastity'''.<ref name="Cockshut1935"/>:: [Circumcision. ''British Medical Journal.'' 1935 Oct 19;2(3902):764]* 1941 [[Allan F. Guttmacher]] promotes mass circumcision as a means of '''blunting male sexual sensitivity'''. He also spreads the false claim that a baby's foreskin must be forcibly retracted and scrubbed daily.:: [Should the baby be circumcised? ''Parents Magazine.'' 1941 Sept;16(9):26,76-8]* 1942 [[Abraham Ravich]] claims that circumcision prevents '''prostate cancer'''.:: [The relationship of circumcision to cancer of the prostate. ''Journal of Urology.'' 1942 Sep;48(3):298-9]* 1949 [[Eugene H. Hand]] declares that circumcision '''prevents venereal disease and cancer of the tongue'''.:: [Circumcision and venereal disease. ''Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology.'' 1949 Sep;60(3):341-6]* 1949 [[Douglas Gairdner]] points out that the previous years cases of infant '''circumcision deaths were not necessary given the lack of medical justification for circumcision'''.<brref name="Guttmacher1941"/>(Note: This paper helped encourage the National Health Service to drop coverage for infant circumcision which led to the practical elimination of non- religious circumcision in the United Kingdom.):: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2051968/pdf/brmedj03656-0009.pdf|The fate of the foreskin. ''British Medical Journal'' 1949 2:1433-7]* 1951 1942 [[Abraham Ravich]] invents claims that circumcision prevents '''cervical cancer in women'''.:: [Prophylaxis of cancer of the prostate, penis, and cervix by circumcision. ''New York State Journal of Medicine.'' 1951 Jun;51(12):1519-20]* 1953 [[R.L. Miller]] and [[D.C. Snyder]] unleash their plans to circumcise all male babies immediately after birth while still in the delivery room to '''prevent masturbation''' and '''provide "immunity to nearly all physical and mental illness."''':: [Immediate circumcision of the newborn male. ''American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.'' 1953, Jan;6(1):1-11]* 1954 [[Ernest L. Wynder]] claims that male circumcision '''prevents cervical cancer in women.''':: [A study of environmental factors of carcinoma of the cervix. ''American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.'' 1954 Oct;68(4):1016-52]* 1956 [[Raymond Creelman]] invents the [[Circumstraint]] which straps down and immobilizes the baby's arms and legs.:: [USPTO patent number RE24,377]* 1958 [[C.F. McDonald]] says "the same reasons that apply for the circumcision of males are generally valid when considered for the female.":: [Circumcision of the female. ''General Practitioner.'' 1958 Sep;18(3):98-99]* 1959 [[W.G. Rathmann]] finds that among the many benefits of female circumcision is that it will '''make the clitoris easier for the husband to find'''.:: [Female Circumcision: Indications and a New Technique. ''General Practitioner.'' 1959 Sep;20(9):115-120]* 1966 Masters and Johnson claim that there is '''no difference in sensitivity between penises with and without foreskin'''.<br>(Note: Their work helps propagate the medical dogma that circumcision has no effect on sexuality go practically unquestioned for nearly the next four decades.):: [''Human Sexual Response'', Boston, Ma: Little Brown & Co, 1966]* 1969 [[Morris Fishbein]] calls for circumcision to '''prevent nervousness and''' of course also '''masturbation'''.:: [Sex hygiene. ''Modern Home Medical Adviser.'' Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Co: 1969 pp 90, 119]* 1971 [[Abraham Ravich]] claims that circumcision prevents cancer of the bladder and the rectum.:: [Viral carcinogenesis in venereally susceptible organs.'' ''Cancer.'' 1971 Jun;27(6)1493-6]* 1971 The [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] Committee on Fetus and Newborn issues a warning to the Nation that, "There are no valid medical indications for circumcision in the neonatal period.":: [Committee on Fetus and Newborn Issues. Circumcision. ''Hospital Care of Newborn Infants'' 5th Edition. Evanston, Ill: American Academy of Pediatrics; 1971 p 110]* 1973 [[R. Dagher]], [[Melvin Selzer]], and [[Jack Lapides]] declare that anyone who disagrees with their agenda to impose mass circumcision on America is deluded.:: [Carcinoma of the penis and the anti-circumcision crusade. ''Journal of Urology.'' 1973 Jul;110(1):79-80]* 1975 The [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] Task force on Circumcision declares, "There are no medical indications for routine circumcisions and the procedure cannot be considered an essential component of health care.":: [Report on the ad hoc task force on circumcision. ''Pediatrics'' 1975;56:610-1]* 1976 [[Benjamin Spock]], after recommending circumcision for thirty years, revises his best-selling parenting book: "I strongly recommend leaving the foreskin alone. Parents should insist on convincing reasons for circumcision — and there are no convincing reasons that I know of."<ref>{{REFjournal

| title=The relationship of circumcision to cancer of the prostate | journal=Journal of Urology | date=1942 Sep | volume=48 | issue=3 | pages=298-299 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1949 [[Eugene H. Hand]] declares that circumcision '''prevents venereal disease and cancer of the tongue'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Hand | first=Eugene H. | coauthors= | title=Circumcision and venereal disease | journal=Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology | date=1949 Sep | volume=60 | issue=3 | pages=341-346 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1949 [[Douglas Gairdner]] points out that the previous years cases of infant '''circumcision deaths were not necessary given the lack of medical justification for circumcision'''.<br>(Note: This paper helped encourage the National Health Service to drop coverage for infant circumcision which led to the practical elimination of non- religious circumcision in the United Kingdom.)<ref>{{REFjournal | last= | first= | coauthors= | title=The fate of the foreskin | journal=British Medical Journal | date=1949 | volume=2 | issue= | pages=1433-1437 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2051968/pdf/brmedj03656-0009.pdf | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1951 [[Abraham Ravich]] invents claims that circumcision prevents '''cervical cancer in women'''.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Ravich | first=Abraham | coauthors= | title=Prophylaxis of cancer of the prostate, penis, and cervix by circumcision | journal=New York State Journal of Medicine | date=1951 Jun | volume=51 | issue=12 | pages=1519-1520 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1953 [[R.L. Miller]] and [[D.C. Snyder]] unleash their plans to circumcise all male babies immediately after birth while still in the delivery room to '''prevent masturbation''' and '''provide "immunity to nearly all physical and mental illness."'''<ref name="MillerSnyder1953"/> * 1954 [[Ernest L. Wynder]] claims that male circumcision '''prevents cervical cancer in women.'''<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Wynder | first=Ernest L. | coauthors= | title=A study of environmental factors of carcinoma of the cervix | journal=American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | date=1954 Oct | volume=68 | issue=4 | pages=10166-52 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1956 [[Raymond Creelman]] invents the [[Circumstraint]] which straps down and immobilizes the baby's arms and legs.<ref>{{REFdocument | url= | format= | title=USPTO patent number RE24,377 | publisher=USPTO | postscript= | date=1957-10-15 | accessdate=2019-09-19}}</ref> * 1958 [[C.F. McDonald]] says "the same reasons that apply for the circumcision of males are generally valid when considered for the female."<ref name="McDonald1958"/> * 1959 [[W.G. Rathmann]] finds that among the many benefits of female circumcision is that it will '''make the clitoris easier for the husband to find'''.<ref name="Rathmann1959"/> * 1966 Masters and Johnson claim that there is '''no difference in sensitivity between penises with and without foreskin'''.<br>(Note: Their work helps propagate the medical dogma that circumcision has no effect on sexuality go practically unquestioned for nearly the next four decades.)<ref>{{REFbook | last=Masters and Johnson | first= | year=1966 | title=Human Sexual Response | url= | work= | editor= | edition= | volume= | chapter= | pages= | location=Boston, Ma | publisher=Little Brown & Co | isbn= | quote= | accessdate= | note=}}</ref> * 1969 [[Morris Fishbein]] calls for circumcision to '''prevent nervousness and''' of course also '''masturbation'''.<ref name="Fishbein1969"/> * 1971 [[Abraham Ravich]] claims that circumcision prevents cancer of the bladder and the rectum.<ref>{{REFjournal | last=Ravich | first=Abraham | coauthors= | title=Viral carcinogenesis in venereally susceptible organs | journal=Cancer | date=1971 Jun | volume=27 | issue=6 | pages=1493-1496 | url= | quote= | pubmedID= | pubmedCID= | DOI= | accessdate=}}</ref> * 1971 The [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] Committee on Fetus and Newborn issues a warning to the Nation that, "There are no valid medical indications for circumcision in the neonatal period."<ref>{{REFbook | last=Evanston | first=Ill | year=1971 | title=Hospital Care of Newborn Infants | url= | work= | editor= | edition=5th Edition

| pages=610-611

 * 1976 [[Benjamin Spock]], after recommending circumcision for thirty years, revises his best-selling parenting book:: ["I strongly recommend leaving the foreskin alone. Parents should insist on convincing reasons for circumcision — and there are no convincing reasons that I know of."<ref>{{REFbook | last=Spock | first=Benjamin | year= | title=Baby and Child Care, | url= | work= | editor= | edition= | volume= | chapter= | pages=1946-76 | location=New York, | publisher=E P Dutten, 1946-76] | isbn= | quote= | accessdate= | note=}}</ref>