Talk:John Harvey Kellogg

message: I was looking to see the evidence about corn flakes being an anaphrodesiac because I heard that it’s an unsubstantiated rumour. On this article, there seems to be a source for it but it makes no sense: the linked fight club reference is nothing to do with Kellogg, corn flakes or anaphrodesiacs Whereismytardis (talk) 06:57, 3 September 2021 (UTC)
thread_title:  Reference 4 is to an article about fight club 

message: This article says John's brother Will Kellogg is best known for inventing corn flakes. It should say that he is best known for developing the Kellogg's Cereal Company. Rollo August (talk) 10:49, 1 October 2022 (UTC)
thread_title: Reason for Will Kellogg's fame

message: The citation for this seems to cite the Project Gutenberg Plain Facts for Old and Young (1881 edition), but the quote given in the citation doesn't seem to actually exist beyond the first sentence, is the quote fabricated or is the continuation actually derived from another source? ペゴボド同士 (Pegboard) (talk) 05:44, 1 November 2023 (UTC)
replies: text: Kellogg advocated circumcision. The source is named and provided. It's from his book. The source is cited three times there, with different page numbers. Take a look and see if that answers your question. -- Valjean (talk) (PING me) 06:02, 1 November 2023 (UTC)
replies: text: I'm specifically talking about the section that claims it to be a misconception. ペゴボド同士 (Pegboard) (talk) 13:22, 23 November 2023 (UTC)
replies: text: The Misconception section was misleading and contradicted sources that, earlier in the article, establish Kellogg was a proponent of a plain diet as an antimasturbatory measure, as well as using circumcision and application of acid to the clitoris as deterrents for masturbation in male and female children. I have removed that section as it was misleading and inaccurate. Yortman1 (talk) 02:03, 14 February 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Opposed circumcision? 

message: The current writing in this section, and choice of quotation from "Plain Facts for Old and Young", could lead readers to a misleading conclusion about Kellogg's stance on both Corn flakes and Circumcision.
First, on Corn Flakes. 
The current section reads:
"Several popular misconceptions falsely attribute various cultural practices, inventions, and historical events to Kellogg. These include false claims that Kellogg's corn flakes were invented or marketed to prevent masturbation. In reality, they were promoted to prevent indigestion."
However, From "Abnormal Psychology 2nd Edition" (Already cited earlier in the article):
"It is a little-known fact that J. H. Kellogg invented his breakfast cereals as part of his mission to discourage sexuality in young people; he hoped that feeding them bland food in the morning would decrease their excitability."
And a primary source, From ""Plain Facts for Old and Young" (pg 302 from the copy available through National Library of Medicine) In the section relating to cures for masturbation("Unchastity"):
"Discard all stimulating food. Under this head must be included spices, pepper, ginger, mustard, cinnamon, cloves, essences, all condiments, pickles, etc.,"
Second, on Circumcision:
The current section and quotation simply mention that he doubted whether it was "salutary for all men." While this is true, it could leave the reader with the false impression that Kellogg was against the practice, when in his writing he has promoted circumcision of "small boys" as an intentionally painful deterrent for masturbation.
From ""Plain Facts for Old and Young":
Regarding cures for "Self-abuse" (pg 295):
"A remedy which is almost always successful in small boys is circumcision, especially when there is any degree of phimosis. The operation should be performed by a surgeon without administering an anæsthetic, as the brief pain attending the operation will have a salutary effect upon the mind, especially if it be connected with the idea of punishment, as it may well be in some cases. The soreness which continues for several weeks interrupts the practice, and if it had not previously become too firmly fixed, it may be forgotten and not resumed."
He also writes on pg. 298:
"In Females, the author has found the application of pure carbolic acid to the clitoris an excellent means of allaying the abnormal excitement, and preventing the recurrence of the practice..."
@Catfurball
Perhaps, we could retain an improved section on misconceptions, but add a section for "Views on Masturbation"? As He has written quite extensively about the topic. Yortman1 (talk) 07:52, 22 February 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Misconceptions Section needs update or removal? 

message: I just removed the claim that Kellogg opposed circumcision.  The quoted wording does not appear in the source.  The citation contains a screenshot again including the wording that does not appear in the source.  I thus suspect it was deliberately fabricated. I have screenshots and this can be verified by searching the source which is in the public domain. Robert Brockway (talk) 08:40, 1 April 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: Please disregard.  I've found a second source and there seems to be something wrong with the Project Gutenberg copy.  An entire paragraph is missing. Robert Brockway (talk) 09:13, 1 April 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Problem Source 

message: User:Captainthomas insists on removing the text, which states that the belief that Kellogg was responsible for popularizing male circumcision is a misconception. This journal source states that it was Lewis Sayre, not Kellogg, who popularized male circumcision in the US. Kellogg, in "Plain Facts" questions whether routine circumcision did more harm than good, though as noted in the "Misconceptions Section needs update or removal?" section above he did recommend it for "Self-abuse." OhNoitsJamie Talk 16:36, 2 May 2024 (UTC)
thread_title: Disputed "misconceptions" section