[stormlord]

Originally Posted by azeth [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

i disagree

Epic reply.

I'll join you hasbinbad. I'm glad I didn't get circumcised after reading that.

Personally, I think that if nature gave us foreskin then there must be a purpose. I also don't think it would be very comfortable not to have the foreskin. In fact, just thinking about it makes me recoil. Kind of like when someone scratches their fingernails on the chalkboard. It would also make a mess faster.

Thank you god for foreskin.

While they're at it why don't they cut off our lips? That way people could see our teeth better.

What is this:

The two authors stated that circumcision diminishes the ability of the brain center of sexual pleasure to respond to stimuli. Moreover, it eliminates the secretion of smegma, which is a male genital lubricant with a gentle odor that is attractive to females. They believed that the changes that are the result of male circumcision decrease their attractiveness to females and make males of the tribe less irritable and more tolerant to one another. Therefore, tribal leaders find it easier to control circumcised males and direct them.

So is that saying that circumcision might reduce sensation and secretions?

Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smegma

Wright states that smegma is produced from minute microscopic protrusions of the mucosal surface of the foreskin and that living cells constantly grow towards the surface, undergo fatty degeneration, separate off, and form smegma.

In healthy animals, smegma helps clean and lubricate the genitals.

Link:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...=smegma&page=6

"Analogous to tears, smegma is the compilation of secretions by ectopic sebaceous glands located in the prepuce, the seminal secretions of the Cowper's gland and the prostate, the mucin content of the secretions of the urethral glands, and the sloughed epithelial cells. It provides the necessary mucosal lubricant and moisturizer and is rich in sexual pheromones. The prepuce normally prevents detection of this phenomenally charged scent until the glans is exposed at the time erection takes place." - Robert S. Van Howe, MD

"Smegma is probably the most misunderstood, most unjustifiably maligned substance in nature. Smegma is clean, not dirty, and is beneficial and necessary. It moisturizes the glans and keeps it smooth, soft, and supple. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties keep the penis clean and healthy. All mammals produce smegma." - Thomas J. Ritter, MD
"Is smegma useful? Yes, certainly. It lubricates the cavity between the foreskin of the penis and the glans, thus allows smooth movement between them during intercourse ... Nature has ... provided a natural ointment, smegma, to ensure easy lubrication and protect this delicate region of the male genital organ. / To secure its even distribution, smegma is formed from the whole inner surface of the foreskin cavity ... Smegma production ... is concentrated in the cells of innumerable small prominences, minute microscopic protrusions of various shapes and sizes found on the inner surface of the foreskin cavity ... Sexual intercourse becomes a regular feature of life (in adulthood) and the function of smegma assumes its full value ... Freshly formed smegma ... is a wholesome lubricant--making for ease in erection and smoothness in sexual intercourse." - Joyce Wright, MD

Link:
http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright1/

Without correct treatment, ill health of the foreskin is liable to worsen - formation of smegma continues and, without outlet or access for cleaning, deposits collect and harden within the foreskin cavity. Such compact masses of smegma can lead to chronic disease, and even prepare the way for cancerous changes.

Cancer of the penis is not common in the United States but is frequent in certain tropical countries. It is almost always associated with uncleanliness and longstanding ill health of the penis. Usually a preceeding phimosis is present. Since the tumor commonly develops with such a closed foreskin cavity, it has been considered that retained smegma could be the cancer-inducing agent. [CIRP note: Cancer of the penis is now known to be associated with the presence of the human papilloma virus (HPV). Cancer of the penis may occur in both circumcised and uncircumcised men if HPV is present. Additional risk factors are hygiene, genital warts, and number of sexual partners. Smegma is not now believed to be carcinogenic.]

Nevertheless, experimental investigation of this so-called "smegma theory of genital cancer" has had little direct bearing on cancer in the male sex. Rather, it has been concerned with the causation of cervical carcinoma in in women. (cancer of the neck of the womb.) This might be conceivably be induced by smegma transferred to the vagina by the male during sexual intercourse.

Such research is beset with difficulties. In the first place, distinction must be made between normal smegma and accumulated smegma, which has undergone a variety of changes in the warmth of the foreskin cavity. Hence, any potential cancer-inducing property could well lie in products formed by chemical breakdown or bacterial action rather than in smegma itself.

A further problem arises in collection of fresh smegma in sufficient amount for experimental research. For this reason some workers have used smegma from horses because these animals produce it is large amounts. But despite repeated inoculations of horse smegma into the vaginas of laboratory animals, the results have been conflicting with regard to its inducing malignant disease.

Clearly a number of factors are involved in the causation of malignant disease of the genital organs. Whether smegma does or does not play a part will be known only when the causes of cancerous changes in general become clear. [CIRP note: It is now clear that smegma is not a carcinogen. Cancer of the genital organs are caused by HPV and smoking. See Cancer for more information.]

Meanwhile, personal hygiene and care of the penis rank high as a protection against chronic disease. Remember that it is stale and accumulated smegma that is a source of ill health for the penis. Freshly formed smegma, washed away regularly and constantly replenishing itself, is a wholesome lubricant - making for ease in erection and smoothness in sexual intercourse.

This is interesting. Perhaps ancient cultures performed circumcision to help prevent diseases and/or cancers of the penis because they did not properly clean it? Makes sense since primitive cultures do not clean themselves very well. Seems like a great way to do it would be to go for a swim in the creek?

Then again, a recent study in the UK found little to 0 cancer cases in egyptian mummies. They theorize that cancer did not exist in pre-industrial times in any significant amount.

Here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...n-mummies.html