CaptSensible,
The person who advocated this procedure was either :
(1) A !!!!!!!! (if he was serious); or,
(2) A bloody legend (if it is the case that he managed to keep a straight face while convincing you of such a cock and bull story).
Of course, perhaps he is ex-mil, in which case all bets are off.
I have never heard of such non-sense south of the equator.