[86] The reader is referred to a very interesting paper detailing conditions of adhesions in the American Journal Med. Sciences for July, 1872. It is taken from the Hungarian of M. Bokai.
[87] New York Med. Journal, vol. xxvi.
[88] American Journal Med. Sciences, vol. lx.
[89] Dr. Vanier describes this operation of Celsus mentioned by Vidal in his work on “Circumcision,” at page 294, which consisted in making, by a circular incision immediately back of the glans, like in a circular amputation, a complete detachment of the integument from back of the corona. The penis was then made to retreat into the sheath thus made and a short catheter introduced into the urethra, to the end of which the free end of the new preputial fold was made fast, a piece of oiled lint being interposed between the raw inner surface and the glans. Another operation consisted in forcibly drawing the integument forward and in making a number of transverse incisions in the integument so as to assist its extensibility. By these means it was drawn sufficiently forward so as to fasten it to a canula or catheter made fast in the urethra. But it can well be imagined that a person must possess the most exalted idea of the physiological needs of a prepuce and feel the most sensitive need of such an appendage to submit to the first of these operations, although it is more than probable that many Jews submitted to the operation in the days of Celsus to avoid being exiled or plundered of all their possessions. The resulting prepuce could not have been a much more unsightly appendage than that which ornaments the overburdened virile organ of many Christians, and there is no doubt but that in many cases they passed muster.
[90] “Circumcision.” Dr. A. B. Arnold.
[91] Ashhurst. “Int. Enc. Surgery,” vol. vi.
[92] “Pertes Seminales.”
[93] “Circoncision.” Dr. Vanier, du Havre.
[94] “Dictionaire des Sciences Médicales.”
[95] Erichsen’s “Surgery,” page 1144. Edition of 1869.