Life, 1901-08-22 · page 7 of 20
Life — August 22, 1901 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis **Top Cartoons:** Two panels showing military/royal figures labeled "John Bull & Co. Jobbers" display merchandise marked "SOLD." The caption reads: "Suggestion to the British Taxpayer: Why pay $10,000,000 a year for THIS, When we can supply THIS for £20 a month?" This satirizes British military spending and procurement—specifically that expensive military positions or contracts could be replaced with cheaper alternatives. "John Bull" represents Britain itself. **Lower Section ("Catching Health"):** A conversation between a Disease Germ and a Health Germ debating advertising methods. The Disease Germ argues people readily seek out doctors and medicines (free advertising), while the Health Germ must pay for advertising. This critiques public health advertising strategy—the point being disease naturally attracts attention and medical business, while promoting wellness requires paid promotion.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Why pay $10,000,000 a year for THIS, Catching Health. HE Disease Germ id the Health stood together, talking. erm The first. was round, rosy and seemed in love with life; the sccond was equally round but had not such a joyous coun- In the midst of the conversation the Disease Germ pursed up his lips and began to whistle the air, once so popular : “They're after me, they're after me, to capture me is re——" then he broke off to nto that? Our family have SUGGESTION TO THE BRITISH TAXPAYER. adopted that as their motto, and a very good one it is, to be sure!" “Tt seems to be a true one,” said the Health Germ, half humbly, half enviously ; “ most people seem bent on capturing you ; all the doctors and scientists, for instance, and those who don’t seem to want you, you have no trouble in rounding up avd cap- turing for yourself. You are really very catehit a The Disease Germ swelled out his chest and threw back manner. “ Pretty true! Pretty true! " he admitted, smilingly. ‘ But tell me something about yourself. Business rather dull lately 2” ‘The Health Germ admitted it wa “Don't understand it,” said the other, shaking his head, * something wrong some- where. Do you advertise?” he concluded, ply, ina businesslike way. “Why, no, we rely on our own 1 meekly admitted the Health Germ. “Pooh! Nonsense!" the other was rude enough to say. ‘ Who cares for merits now- adays? What we want is adverts his head in a satisfied- When we can supply THIS for $208 month? advertising and plenty of it. General adver- tising and a iittle personal push will carry you at a bound before the publ The Health Germ began to look interested. Tell me something of your methods,” he egged. he Disease Germ considered the question critically for a moment; but being in aa expansive frame of mind, he consented, feeling that he was well established himself and could afford to throw out a few hints to a less-prosperous companion. “Well, to begin with, people are dead d all you have to do is just work Get yourself talked about. Attract their attention, Humbug them. Nothing appeals to them so much as something they can'tunderstand, Keep appearing in strange localities and under different guises. Get them to guessing about you; to wondering as to what you are, why you came, and if you'll comeagain. Keepthem on the jump! t the doctors, the nervous people and the sts on yourside. ‘They make splendid ising agents. Rush a few posters through the press and have them displayed comicbooks.com