Life, 1889-10-03 · page 1 of 18
Life — October 3, 1889 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine, October 3, 1889 The main cartoon depicts a domestic scene where a doctor presents a painting or artwork to a woman seated in an interior. The caption reads: "Lady Patient (who has been looking over the periodicals on doctor's table): 'Do you take LIFE now?' / Doctor (embarrassed): 'Well—I'm STILL IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION!'" The joke is that the woman has discovered *Life* magazine among the doctor's reading materials and is teasing him about it—implying that reading the satirical magazine might be unbecoming to a serious medical professional. The humor relies on the reputation of *Life* as frivolous entertainment rather than respectable reading material. The doctor's embarrassed response suggests he's defensive about being caught with something deemed insufficiently dignified for his profession.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NEW YORK, OCTOBER 3, 1889. Entered at the New York Post Office as Second-Class Mail Matter, Copyright, 188, by Mircwent & Minure. A PtRICANY, | Gl Sum. Lady Patient (who has been Jooking over the periodicals on doctor s table) —I- : Do vou Take LIFE sow? ESSION | Dector (embarrassed): Writ T't STILL INTHE MEDICAL PRoF comicbooks.com