The Good Ole Days

Picture yourself, a teenager in a brave new world. Man has created flying machines, the United States is on the eve of the great war, and there may be a few automobiles in your town, but you probably work on your family's farm and walk to school. One day you are board and sick of waiting for someone to invent the television so you sit down and start reading your Boy Scout Handbook. It's 1913 and the writers were real men, or masters of satire looking for a gig. The Daily Show was still a few years off, and they could not just sit around waiting for Farnsworth to invent the TV.Let's see, where did I leave off, Page 528, Healthcraft...

ConservationIn this chapter much has been said of the active measures which a boy should take in order to become strong and well. We should be equally concerned in saving and storing up the natural forces which we already have. In the body of every boy in his 'teens, a very important fluid is produced. This fluid is important to the whole body. Some parts of it find their way into the blood, and through the blood give tone to the muscles, power to the brain, and strength to the nerves. This is the sex fluid and is formed by the testicles. When it appears in a boy's body, it works a wonderful change. His chest deepens, his shoulders broaden, his voice changes, and his ideals are changed and enlarged.When a boy reaches the age of 15, 16 or 17 (though it may be earlier or later), this fluid is occasionally discharged from the sex organ in the night. This discharge is called a seminal or nocturnal emission. It is frequently accompanied by a dream. It is a perfectly normal experience, which almost all boys have. It may come several times a month, or only once in two or three months. A few boys and young men never have emissions. Seldom will boys feel any ill effects from emissions. Boys need not and should not worry about these experiences. They are natural, but no steps should be taken to excite seminal emissions. That is masturbation. It's a bad habit. It should be fought against. It seldom leads to real physical or mental illness except in those who are already physically or mentally weak. It's something to keep away from. Keep control of yourself in sex matters. It's manly to do so. It's important for your life, your happiness, your efficiency and the whole human race as well. Keep in training. A cold hip bath will help (water temperature 56 to 60°F, sitting in a tub, feet out, fifteen minutes at night before going to bed).Seek advice from wise, clean, strong men. If you feel you need special help write to PHYSICALLY FIT DEPARTMENT of, BOYS' LIFE MAGAZINE and you will receive a confidential reply.

So there it is, all laid out in the open, no uncomfortable moments with the parents. No Birds. No Bees. No giggling in middle school sex ed class. You are now ready to head off and face the world. With your 'changed ideals' and advice from wise, clean, and strong men.Who’s up for a cold hip bath?P.S. If you want to mail Boys Life for advice their address is: Boys' Life Magazine (S306), P.O. Box 152079 Irving, TX 75015-2079