Judge — January 19, 1918 — page 28: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **Nujol advertisement**, not political satire. Nujol was a mineral oil laxative product made by Standard Oil Company. The ad uses a common marketing device of the era: a elderly person representing health and longevity, positioned as an authority figure. The "dialogue" between Youth and Old Age delivers the sales pitch—that the secret to good health is keeping "your system clean," meaning regular bowel movements. The ad promises that Nujol will maintain this regularity "as clockwork." This reflects early 20th-century beliefs linking digestive regularity to overall health and longevity. The placement in *Judge* magazine simply means Standard Oil purchased advertising space in this satirical publication alongside actual humor content.