Life — March 8, 1894 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "To Avoid Chills" — Life Magazine Cartoon This cartoon depicts a social/medical satire about illness prevention. The dialogue shows a man trying to visit a woman (Miss Brainerd from Boston), but she refuses because her doctor advised against exposure to others. The man counters that his doctor told him the same thing. The joke critiques the medical advice of the era—likely early 20th century—when doctors frequently warned patients to avoid social contact to prevent catching colds or chills. The satire points out the absurdity: if everyone followed this advice strictly, no social interaction would occur at all, rendering the prohibition impractical and socially isolating. The cartoon mocks both the overcautious medical establishment and society's tendency toward excessive health anxiety.