Richard-

"I was under the impression that it was fairly often done for medical/hygenic reasons."

Not since soap and water were invented. I suppose in some third world countries where clean water is not readily available, the operation, if performed by licensed medical practitioners, would be justified.

No, the practice seems more based on traditional religious belief or out-dated medical practice.

Now in some cases the size of the foreskin is excessive and an operation might be called for, as documented in this old song about a "jolly tinker" having "forty yards of foreskin hanging down below his knees."

Charley Noble