Judge, 1924-02-02 · page 14 of 37
Judge — February 2, 1924 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This comic strip satirizes the absurdity of early 20th-century American drug stores, which functioned as general variety stores rather than pharmacies. The humor works through ironic contrast: a customer seeking actual medicine (castor oil for a sick child) cannot obtain it, while the store stocks utterly unrelated items—car spark plugs, flashlight batteries, aluminum cookware, rubber swimming caps, and candy. The joke critiques how these establishments had abandoned their core pharmaceutical purpose, instead becoming cluttered emporiums selling everything except drugs. The manager's deflection—offering an electric vibrator instead of medicine—underscores the absurdity. The accompanying song ("We have no drugs to-day") drives home the satirical point that these "drug stores" paradoxically had no actual drugs available, highlighting consumer frustration and commercial priorities gone awry.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
It seems that the fellow in the checked suit used to be a ball player and— ANYTHING IN DRUGS Sc A modern city drug store; any time. The manager stands at the front of the store, ready to greet customers. Enter, Mr. Jones (in a great hurry). Manacer: Can I serve you? Mr. Jon My car has stopped. I think it needs a new spark plug. Can I get one here? Man: Certainly, sir. or, Mr. Smith. Can I help you, si Mr. Smirn: I want a flashlight bat- tery. Man: Y Enter, Mrs. Wiggs. Mrs. Wiaas: I see you are advertising aluminum cooking utensils. Man: Yes, madam. there. Right this way. Right over Enter, Miss Jiggs. Miss Jia I want a good book to read and a nice box of candy. Man: This way, please. Enter, Mr. Brown. Mr. Brow: May I leave some films to be developed, and prints made? Man: First counter to the left, sir. Enter, Miss Green. Miss Green: Can I get a rubber swimming cap here? Man: Yes, indeed. This way. Enter, Mrs. Black. Mrs. Biack: I'd like to get some post- age stamps and stationery. Man: Right this way, madam. Enter, Mr. White. Mr. Wurte: I want some castor oil. Man: Yes, sir. good. Right— One-in-Three is very 12 No! oil for a sick little boy. Man (dumbly): Castor oil? Mr. Wurre: Yes! Castor oil. Man: Just a minute, please. (Con fers with assistant.) We don’t have castor oil, sir. Perhaps an electric vibra- tor would help the boy. Mr. Wurre: (exiting in a huff): Ore vacuum cleaner. Man (humming): Yes, we have no drugs, We have no drugs to-day. We have cold cream and sodas, Ma-GA-zines and razors, And all kinds of drinks, and say, We have a large stock of CI-gas And a truck full of can-DY bars But, yes, we have no drugs, We have no drugs to-day. —R. W. Desmond No! Some castor comicbooea (o)