The senescent man or the youthful individual who finds himself
suddenly lacking in sexual vigor is a ready prey for the exploiters
of mechanical devices, urged because of their ability to encourage a
physical development that seems to be lacking. The average man in this
land of unenlightenment regarding the physical constitution has but
slight conception of what constitutes the normal in these affairs,
either as to physical growth or functional ability. Indeed, the more he
meditates upon the matter, the more he is likely to be convinced that
he himself is sadly lacking in these particulars, the psychology of
this view being dependent upon a will to achieve rather than on actual
knowledge. Moreover, the cleverly worded literature--and what a sad use
of the word this is--of the salesman of various devices is calculated
to intensify and emphasize this view. All of the advertising matter
is a paean of praise of sexual athleticism, and a weeping and wailing
over deficient performance, inspired to make still more mournful the
sexually despondent male.
On December 5, 1925, the post office department issued a fraud order
against the manufacturers of a device known as the “Perfection
Developer,” one Walter H. Hartman of Columbus, Ohio, selling under
the firm name of “Hart & Co.” The simple device was merely a cylinder
of glass connected with a pump and designed to induce a vacuum. The
effects persisted only so long as the device was in actual use, and if
it had any permanent effects whatever, they could only be for harm.
Another device of the same type was sold by one M. Von Schwarts and
William Billings of Ithaca, New York, under the name of the “Burt
Vacuum Tube.” This firm was barred from using the mails September 1,
1925.
These devices are typical of most of the mechanical appliances offered
by mail for men lacking sexual vigor. Obviously, they can be of no
permanent service. Moreover, the psychology of their use is such as to
discourage any real possibility of improvement through rest, diet and
psychotherapy which long experience has shown are of value.