Life, 1891-12-31 · page 11 of 53
Life — December 31, 1891 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 395 This page satirizes medical pretension and quackery. The narrative follows a father seeking Uncle Rody's advice about his son's failed career prospects. Uncle Rody's solution—"Make your son a physician"—mocks how easy it was to enter the medical profession and establish credibility. The illustrations show the son's subsequent success: treating wealthy patients with dubious diagnoses (whooping cough pronounced "quick consumption," stomach cramps treated via spinal manipulation) and receiving lavish gratitude from gullible patients. The satire targets both incompetent doctors who lack genuine medical knowledge yet prosper through confident bedside manner, and the wealthy patients who reward them regardless of actual cures. The joke critiques how medical authority could be faked for social advancement in this era, exploiting both professional naivety and patient desperation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE: In a moment there was a violent scratching, then a stout mouse, rather past middle age, clambered up the foot-board. He sat there with his hands folded over his stomach, and seemed a little out of breath. “ Well, what can I do for you?” he asked. “Turn my grief to joy, if some of your friends have not exaggerated your abilities. “Nothing easier,” said Uncle Rody. grief?" ‘Then the unhappy father told him all about his son. “TL can easily remedy that,” said Uncle Rody, only take my advice.” “ What is your advice ? “ Make your son a physician.” “What is your if you will “WHAT CAN 1 DO FOR YoU?” “A physician!” exclaimed the father, “why, he hasn't brains enough for a hod carrier!” “No brains are required. Your son hasa pompous manner and says little; a combination that is sure to impress a sick man.” “ But he could never cure anything!" “ Why should he,” said Uncle Rody. “ Nature does that. And when the patients die it is because nothing could have saved them ;" and here he gave his listener an enormous wink, out of all proportion to his diminutive eye. “But the other physicians,” said the father, “they would be sure to find him out. Uncle Rody smiled wearily. “Are doctors of the same school in the habit of denouncing 395 each other? Your son can murder every patient he treats and his professional brothers will stand by him to the last. Just give it a little thought and you will take my advice. Good-night !"" * s ° ‘Three years later the stupid son returned from abroad, after a series of unintelligent studies in the principal medical schools of Europe. His first patient was an influential lady HIS FIRST PATIENT. who had the whooping cough. He pronounced it quick con- sumption. She of course believed him, and when she recovered was so overcome by her miraculous escape from this usually fatal disease that she recommended him in the most enthusiastic manner to all her friends. His second great success was with a child who had cramps in the stomach. He treated him for curvature of the spine, and as the child came out of it with an excellent figure the wealthy parents overwhelmed him with their gratitude. His reputation was now firmly established. He became a shining light in the profession, and soon after married a merchant princess. JA. Mitchell. comicbooks.com