Judge, 1905-02-04 · page 5 of 16
Judge — February 4, 1905 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This six-panel comic depicts a recurring character, Nervy Nat, systematically tormenting a physician (Dr. Mushgizzard). The satire targets both the antagonist's recklessness and, implicitly, contemporary attitudes toward doctors. Nat repeatedly endangers the doctor through pranks: hiding to ambush him, throwing rocks into the soup, tossing a boulder into a lake to cause the doctor to dive fully clothed, and finally driving away in the doctor's own horse and carriage. Throughout, Nat maintains exaggerated politeness ("Awf'ly decent of you"), a satirical contrast to his hostile actions. The humor relies on class dynamics—Nat treats the pompous professional with calculated disrespect—and period-specific medical skepticism (references to appendix removal and self-prescription). The comic suggests public wariness of doctors' authority and competence, portraying the physician as both ridiculous and deserving of comeuppance.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1 Nervy Nar live, here comes Dr. Mushgizzard! Such a nice man, too! I suppo: s got his little satchel full of death-warrants. Drive on, doc.; I'm much too young to die. Ye gods! I'll horse the doc. Vl heave a rock in the soup here and he'll think some cove has com: ted suicide.” 2, Nexvy Nat—"' By Jovel he’s Jolly well stopped. I'll not let him see me. | owe old Sawbones a couple of insults, any way. I asked him once to remove my appendix without cracking my shell, and he wouldn't do it."* Docrox Musucizzanb—" Hello! What's that? Some foo! suicide, I'll be bound. Well, I'll have to snake him out.” GM ‘hu, ray for the life-sa’ jealousy if he thin world and not taking, Dr. Mus around to the other side of the lake this way 2” crew! Now you see how it is he gets professio is trying some other way out of this sad p! why didn’t he go ind jump in instead of taking my time yo 4 Nexvy Nat—" Hoop-lal Isn't he the graceful hippopotamus? How reckless he is with his clothes! He must have two suits. Now, if he catches cold and prescribes for himself the town will be out a little fat doctor." Nervy Nat—" Bravo! Bravissimo! Doctor, allow me to assure you of my distinguished felicitations and compliment you on your elegant and finished method of diving. Did you er forget to bring your bathing- suit? And did you want that bowlder that I tossed in there? So sorry, old chap! If you'd only mentioned it, you know." Dr. Musnowzaro—"* — —— — —— — — Vr7perr7er es Sar he | “ek Hipp Neevy Nat" Awf'ly decent of you, old feller, to lend me this trap. You're an awf'ly good sort, you know! “No, no! don't you come. | drive and all that sort of thing. And don't drag your coat In the road that way: it won't do it a bit of good, believe me." NO. 60.—NERVY NAT’S HORSE ON THE DOCTOR. comicbooks.com