Penis removal

In ancient civilizations, removal of the human penis was sometimes used as a means of demonstrating superiority: armies were sometimes known to sever the penises of their enemies to count the dead, as well as for trophies. The practice of castration (removal of the testicles) sometimes also involves the removal of all or part of the penis, generally with a tube inserted to keep the urethra open for urination. Castration has been used to create a class of servants or slaves (and especially harem-keepers) called eunuchs in many different places and eras. In Italy, it was used to preserve the pure, high voices of young male singers, who were known as castrati.

Related Topics:
Penis - Castration - Urethra - Harem - Eunuch - Italy - Castrati

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In the modern era, removal of the human penis is rare (with the exceptions listed below), and references to removal of the penis are almost always symbolic. Castration is not so rare, and is performed as a last-ditch method of treatment of androgen sensitive prostate cancer http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=5297&nbr=3620 http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3197.htm http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andeprv/Myers_AndrogenResistance1.html. The population of castrates in the US includes thousands of prostate cancer survivors.

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