R. W. Cockshut

Very little has been found about this Victorian doctor. In fact, some websites and literature refer him as C. W. Cockshut and others as R. W. Cockshut.

He is relevant due to a quote from the British Medical Journal, 1935, where he calls for all male children to be circumcised to reduce masturbation. In this quote he acknowledges the keratinization of the glans, consequence of circumcision, and further loss of sensation as ideals for a civilized culture.

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I suggest that all male children should be circumcised. This is "against nature", but that is exactly the reason why it should be done. Nature intends that the adolescent male shall copulate as often and as promiscuously as possible, and to that end covers the sensitive glans so that it shall be ever ready to receive stimuli. Civilization, on the contrary, requires chastity, and the glans of the circumcised rapidly assumes a leathery texture less sensitive than skin. Thus the adolescent has his attention drawn to his penis much less often. I am convinced that masturbation is much less common in the circumcised. With these considerations in view it does not seem apt to argue that 'God knows best how to make little boys.' – R.W. Cockshut (Circumcision. British Medical Journal, Vol.2 (1935): p.764)

Publications

• The minor maladies of children
• SOME OBSERVATIONS ON WHOOPINGCOUGH AND ITS TREATMENT BY VACCINES