Circumcision
Definition
Circumcision is a surgical procedure, up until very recently performed without anesthetic, that removes the foreskin hooding the end of the penis, thereby exposing its tip, the glans.
Description
The operation of circumcision is usually done within days of birth, preferably before the age of two months, with or without local anesthetic or painkillers, at the surgeon's discretion. Some Jewish families have the circumcision performed by a specially trained rabbi called a mohel, as part of a ceremony held on the eighth day of life. After the operation, the scar is protected with gauze and petroleum jelly. Overall, circumcision is a safe, low-risk procedure, provided the operator is well trained and experienced. While certain religious groups, notably Moslems, Jews and some Africans, routinely circumcise new boys, many of the world's peoples have never practiced it. Circumcision was introduced into the English-speaking world in the 19th century for hygienic reasons and as a possible "cure" for masturbation. Widespread during the 1940s and 1950s, the practice is now declining. The British, Americans and New Zealanders no longer routinely circumcise boys; the custom is also waning in Canada.
Questions
What is your view about circumcision? Please explain, in detail, how a circumcision is performed? What happens if the circumcision is unsuccessful? can it be repeated? Will an unsuccessful circumcision cause permanent dysfunction (i.e., difficulty urinating, infections, sexual dysfunction)? After the circumcision, what should be looked for in terms of possible infections? When does the gauze come off the penis? Does any type of medicine need to be applied to the penis after the circumcision?
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