In the high schools, they have their own agents—pupils—who send a list of names and with these names other information that these scorpions want. Of course, many of these pupil-agents do not really know just all the evil they are doing, but I think they are generally those of bad and injurious habits.
So when you receive one of these circulars just tear the vile thing up and say to yourself: “Nixy for me, I don’t bite at such bait—I’m no sucker.”
I am pleased to say that all these nefarious schemes I have investigated are run by foreigners; not one I know of is controlled by a genuine American or Britisher.
“But,” you say, “some of these fakers and quacks must be honest. There must be something in what they say in print, because they offer your money back if you are not cured. They give you a written guarantee and refer you to a bank.”
True, and you will find that the guarantee is legally correct and binding. But—
This is the way they trap you: In the guarantee they promise to return your money—and sometimes more as a bait—IF YOU GIVE REASONABLE PROOF THAT YOU WERE A VICTIM OF INJURIOUS HABITS BEFORE TREATMENT, AND THAT THE TREATMENT HAS NOT CURED YOU.
When you demand your money back they will send you a blank to fill out and return. They inform you that when this blank is properly filled out they will at once return the money. I presume they will, but I have never heard of such a case and I have investigated hundreds of these schemes.
The blank you are asked to fill out is such that no victim will return it. It requires you to get the signatures of your minister, one of the principal business men in your town and your father or next of kin, certifying that you had the habit before taking treatment and that you have it now. Then this must be taken before a notary and witnessed—the blood-suckers!
If you have any reason to think that you may be in danger of falling into the habit of self-abuse, do this: Every time the temptation comes to you go at once and bathe your sex organs in cold water. If it is in one of those half-waking conditions in the morning, WAKE UP. Go at once and plunge the parts in cold water. Take a cold shower, if possible; if not, have a big sponge always ready and let the cold water run down your back and all over the sex organs—testicles and penis. If the temptation comes at night before you have gone to sleep, get out of bed at once, no matter how cold it is, the colder the better, and apply the icy water.