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Urology: going with the flow is an old problem

Our ageing population is at risk from conditions affecting the prostate, kidneys and relate dareas

December 16, 2016 14:54
jonathan glass

ByJonathan Glass, Jonathan Glass

5 min read

'And Abraham took his son Ishmael and all that were born in his house and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin'

Arguably, urology is the first surgical speciality mentioned in the Chumash. As well as instructing Abraham to perform circumcision, further urological references are also seen in the instructions of who can serve in the temple (Vayikra 21, 17–21): “Speak to Aaron saying ‘any of your offspring… shall not come to offer… a man who is blind or lame or whose nose has no bridge or who has one limb longer than the other… or has crushed testicles’.’’

There is also a reference in Devarim (23, 5-22) where we read: “A man with crushed testicles or a severed organ shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord.”

Many urological diseases affect men and women as they age. The population of the UK, now over 60 million continues to age, the average life expectancy of a child born today being over 78 for a boy and over 82 for a girl. This ageing population will require urological care.