Note 483 — OF HERMAPHRODITES.

We omitted to state in page 286 that an enlarged Clitoris is almost endemial in some countries, particularly Egypt and Darfur, where the excision of it is very commonly practised, and the operation is performed a little before the period of puberty, or at about the age of 8 or 9 years; this custom is mentioned by Strabo, and also by Albucasis, who in his 7th chapter observes, that every parent knows when a child has those parts longer than ordinary, and cut and burn them off while the girls are very young. De Graaf was also acquainted with the fact, and observes, “Estque hujus partis chirurgia orientalibus tam necessaria quam decora.”