Judge, 1896-10-03 · page 11 of 16
Judge — October 3, 1896 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Pabst Malt Extract advertisement**, not political satire. It uses Shakespeare's death from "fever and ague" (malaria-like illness) as a hook to sell a health tonic. The caricatured face appears to represent a stereotypical German brewer—appropriate since Pabst was a German-American brewery. The ad claims that poor sanitation causes diseases like malaria and diphtheria, then positions Pabst Malt Extract as preventative medicine that "fortifies" the body. This reflects early 20th-century patent medicine marketing, exploiting public health fears to sell tonics. The historical irony: Shakespeare's actual Avon riverside location likely had nothing to do with his death, yet the ad weaponizes his name for commercial gain. The "famous Pabst has made it so" tagline emphasizes the brewery's reputation as guarantee of quality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SHAKESPEARE DIED of Fever and Ague. He lived on the damp, marshy banks of the Avon. Thousands to-day are compelled to live in damp, dank, unhealthy places. Tens of thousands are exposed to bad air, bad sewerage, bad sanitary conditions. Malaria and diph- theria result. These should protect the system, fortify it, brace it against chills and fever and all intermittent diseases. How? Make bright, clear blood, en- hance your muscular strength, calm your nerves, cat and sleep well, In what way? By using PABST MALT EXTRACT, which gives bloom, elasticity and tone, defies disease and makes your body a stronghold against attacks of sickness of all kinds. THE BEST TONIC renders you secure, safe, snug and free from danger. = MILWAUKEE BEER 1S FAMOUS PABST HAS MADE IT SO i | comicbooks.com