Judge, 1928-02-11 · page 27 of 36
Judge — February 11, 1928 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Listerine advertisement** rather than political satire. The page uses a domestic humor scenario to promote the antiseptic mouthwash. **The "cartoon"** depicts a sick man confined indoors for two weeks, unable to see his social circle (the "gang"). His younger sister torments him with mockery ("Smarty, Smarty, Smarty!") while he's bedridden. The implied joke: even worse than illness is being stuck at home where annoying family members can ridicule you. **The sales pitch** contrasts healthy children (who recover quickly from throat ailments) with vulnerable adults. The ad claims over 50 diseases originate in the throat and nose, positioning Listerine as preventive medicine. It warns that sore throats signal oncoming colds and recommends gargling with full-strength Listerine. **The context**: This reflects early-20th-century anxieties about contagion and germ theory, combined with promotional advertising disguised as health advice. The "safe antiseptic" tagline and mention of Lambert Pharmacal Co. establish credibility through scientific-sounding language typical of that era's patent medicine marketing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
i For two weeks, the “gang™ has seen him not. After the nmth reading, “The Black Pirate” does not seem so black. As sf sore throat were not enough, and just to prove that justice is seldom tempered with mercy, little sister 1s on the job from 9 to 5 emitting words of scorn and derision. Was ever a gentleman so galled? Will he ever neglect a sore throat again? Healthy youngsters may throw off sore throat or a cold in a hurry, More than 50 diseases have their beginning or development in the THROAT and _ nose. Some, of mild character, yield to an antiseptic. Others, more serious, do not. At the first sign of an irritated throat, gargle frequently with Listerine and if no improvement is shown, consult a physician. “Smarty, Smarty, Smarty !” but adults are not usually so for- tunate. Lacking the stamina of youth, they are easier prey to disease germs. Watch your throat these days, and at the first sign of irritation, gargle with Listerine full strength Rinse the mouth with it also. Throat irritations are usually the sign of oncoming colds —or worse — and Listerine, used early, has mpped many a sore throat and cold in the bud. Honestly, now, don’t you think this simple precaution 1s worth taking? It may spare you a trying siege of illness. Lambert Pharmacal Co., St. Louis, Mo. yo4 7 Never neglect a sore throat THE NEXT TIME The next time you buy a dentifrice ask for Lister- ine Tooth Paste at 25c the large tube. It has halved the tooth paste bill of more than two million people. LISTERINE -the safe antiseptic comicbooks.com