Judge, 1896-08-22 · page 11 of 16
Judge — August 22, 1896 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **patent medicine advertisement**, not satire. It appears in Judge magazine circa 1896 and promotes Pabst Malt Extract as a health tonic. The page features a testimonial letter from Miss Keeler describing how the product allegedly saved her elderly mother's life during typhoid fever recovery. The mother reportedly couldn't retain food or water but tolerated the malt extract, leading to rapid improvement. The decorative medieval border and armored knight figure are designed to suggest strength, tradition, and trustworthiness—common marketing tactics of the era. **What modern readers should know:** This represents the "patent medicine" boom of the 1890s, when unregulated tonics made extravagant health claims without scientific evidence. The FDA didn't exist yet; such testimonials were common advertising. While Pabst was a legitimate brewery, malt extract had no proven medicinal powers. This exemplifies why the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act eventually became necessary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
~~ A AN ee “My mother, Mrs. Eliza Keeler, aged 64, after a four months’ siege of typhoid fever, was unable to retain even ‘lime-water.’ I was told that Pabst Malt Extract, The ‘Best? Tonic, would be good; accordingly got some for her and she was able to retain it. She improved so rapidly that Y to-day, after-using from three to four bottles per week, she is strong and well—a thing at her age and after sucha sickness bordering on the marvel- ous. I claim it was ‘The Tonic,’ and have thoroughly advertised this IR fy) among our acquaintances. Even her physician was astounded at the re- #7 sult. I shall always feel that Pabst Malt Extract saved her life, and think you should know what a powerful strengthener it is after fever and kindred complaints. I write this at the request of my mother, who wishes to express MISS KEEL) her thanks. Yours truly, x June 27th, 1896. 393 Forty-Sixth Street, Chicago.” comicbooks.com