Life, 1905-11-16 · page 27 of 30
Life — November 16, 1905 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes early-20th-century obsession with germ theory and antiseptic hygiene. The barber shop's attendant describes increasingly elaborate sterilization procedures—boiled tools, mercury baths (987 degrees), germicide-sprayed water, antiseptic gauze for handling change—treating germs as an existential threat requiring extreme measures. The joke's payoff mocks this excess: after cataloging all these precautions, the patron learns the barber himself is "being boiled"—the logical absurdist endpoint of germophobia. This reflects genuine contemporary anxieties following discoveries about bacterial transmission, but exaggerates them for humor. The cartoon gently ridicules how quickly Americans adopted hygienic theater, treating cleanliness rituals almost superstiously. The patron's growing frustration ("you have to talk to death?") captures impatience with over-explaining protective measures that seem performative rather than practical. The rest of the page is period advertising (underwear, trunks, slippers) unrelated to the cartoon.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
For tho ond of a perfect dinner BOSS’ c. New London Medium Hard Water Cracker 1s as necessary as a good appetite for the beginning D. BOSS @ SON BISCUIT MANUFACTURERS Connecticut Dr. Ne This celebrated under- wear gives more warmth, weight for weight, than any other made. Those who have not yet tried it ought to lose no time be- fore the winter comes on. Catalogue explains everything. Free, with samples. . Sneger wn Stores jew York : 306 Fifth Ave., 157 B'way. Bkn. : sag Fulton St. Boston: 228 Boylston St. Phila: rs10 Chestnut St. Chicago: 82 State St. Agents in all principal cities, * President Suspenders The Germ-Proof Barber Shop. . HIS towel,” said the attendant in the germ-proof barber shop, “has been sub- jected to an extreme heat and is thoroughly sterilized. We take every precaution against exposing our patrons to infection or conta- ” commended the patron “This soap,” went on the attendant, pi up a cake thereof, “has been debacterial and the comb and brush are thoroughly anti- septicated.” “Great scheme,” said the patron. “The chair in which you sit is given a daily bath in bichloride of mercury, while its cush- ions are baked in an oven heated to 987 de- grees, which is guaranteed to shrivel up any bacillus that happens along.” “Hot stuff,” said the patron. “The razor and the lather-brushes are boiled before being used, and the lather-cup is dry heated until there is not the slightest possi- bility of any germs being concealed in it.” “Fine,” said the patron. “The hot water with which the lather is mixed is alw double heated and sprayed with a germicide, besides being filtered and distilled.” “Excellent,” said the patron. en the floor and the ceiling and the walls and the furniture are given antiseptic treatment every day, and all change handed out to our customers is first wiped with anti- septic gauze. The shoe-polish at the boot-black chair is boiled and then frozen and the—” “Well, look here,” said the patron, who had been sitting wrapped in the towel during all this, “why don't you go ahead and shave me? Think I'm loaded with some kind of germ that you have to talk to death?” , sir,” answered the attendant am not the barber.” “You're not? Where is he?” “They are boiling him, sir.”—Jllustrated Bits. HAT does ‘mutual’ mean?” “AIL in the family, I s’pose.”—Cleve- land Plain Dealer, “But T “ JO unpacking when AV" you arrive; no pack= ing up when you leave. Your clothes hang up just as they do in your rdrobe at home; your \wers; your hats go in hat’ compartment, matter how many or how few garments f you have, adjustable slides keep them free from wrinkles. ar eee ae = soni Aue nein neces Wardrobe Trunk fs the one perfect trank for both men and_women, Every article in it i y accessible, No trays to lift—drawers for everything—lasts a lifetime. Lightest, Eastest, Cosiest Made Saas? Women's $1.00 Men's ~ $1.25 pruveRen Comfy Slipper Made of pure wool felt, soft leather soles with one inch of earded wool between felt inner 80 and felt and leather outer soles, maki a perfect cushion tread. Ideal for the bedroom. Weight 2 ounces. Colors: Navy Blue, Drab, Browa and Red. Send for CATALOGUE No. 36, showing many new styles. DANIEL GREEN FELT SHOE CO. 119 West 23d Street, New York comicbooks.com