Experts have been unable to understand the origin of the practice of routine male circumcision. Most of the literature shows no awareness of phimosis - its frequency - or the sexual and erectile problems which can be cured by circumcision. If routine circumcision had been introduced for this most obvious reason of eliminating difficult foreskins; then the importance of an alternative modern method suitable to our culture's attitudes in this day and age (monitor and prevent early) would be clear.

Chapter Three
ANTHROPOLOGY
Origins of the Practice of Routine Male Circumcision
The evolutionary relevance of foreskin conditions -
The relationship of phimosis to cultural developments


Anthropology - Summary - (400 words)

ANCIENT METHODS of GENITAL MODIFICATION
More Ancient Modifications
Partial Circumcision
Dorsal Slit
Frenulum Operations

ORIGINS OF ROUTINE MALE CIRCUMCISION
Summary
The Basic Riddle
The Question
The Original Operation
The Introduction of the General Measure
The Tradition
The Chinese Connection
Phimotic Discussions

Fertility
Oedipus
Sacrifice

PHIMOSIS THROUGH THE AGES
Anthropological Literature
Diderot
`s Encyclopédie (Fr) (1779)
Diderot English Translation
Ploss (1884) Summary
Ploss original German
Ploss English translation
Richard Andree (.de) (1889)
Heinrich Schurtz (.de) (1902)
B. Renz (.de) revising Ploss (1912)
Hastings Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics (1910)

Bryk (1928) Summary
Bryk original German
Bryk English translation
Bettelheim (1962)
Mircea Eliade`s Encyclopedia of Religion (1987)

Other areas of Interest
Evolution: the pecking order
Chinese Medicine
The European Question
In Abraham`s Defence
It is a Blessing we ask

Other Sites
DaiSik Kim: the Korean Routine Circumcision Phenomenon
African Sexuality: general background