Life, 1908-11-26 · page 21 of 24
Life — November 26, 1908 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising and promotional content** for Life magazine, rather than political cartoons. The main feature is a full-page advertisement promoting Life's Christmas Number (December 1, price 25 cents) and a subscription offer ($1 for three months). The pitch emphasizes that Life is "humorous," "artistic," "satirical," and "literary" — targeting educated readers who value culture and humor. On the left is **"Life's Letter Box,"** a satirical reader response mocking contemporary germ theory. The writer sarcastically amplifies recent tuberculosis research discoveries, suggesting their implications are absurdly catastrophic — that people must avoid grass, boil everything, and flee to the woods. This ridicules both overblown public health panic and medical experts' inability to translate germ discovery into practical prevention. The tone suggests skepticism about whether knowing germs exist actually helps anyone. The **small duck illustration** and various advertisements (Rad-Bridge cards, Nestor automobiles) fill remaining space. This reflects early-1900s American anxieties about modern science and disease.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CLUB LINEN PLAYING CARDS “Aa [eal Bridge Card."* ” Desixa of back, hemstitched linea, pat. Colors Red, Blue, Brown, Green. 25 cents per pack ‘cents. Dealers everywhere or seat postpalrton receipt of ialog of Wrldge accessories (ree. Address Dept. Le Cou, New York. 144 Pearl St, & Loodon, VC, Life’s Letter Box More About Germs To vite Epttor or Lire: Sir: The discoveries of your tuberculous cor- respondent of last week appear to be both im- poriint and disquieting. Following closely on the labors of the International Congress on Tu- berculosis,.in Washington, they come as a dis tinci surprise to the delegates, including Dr. Koch, the eminent discoverer of the germs of the disease. Your contributor’s findings that the knowledge that there is a germ has absolutely nothing to do with the matter; and that medical science has done absolutely nothing toward re- ducing the mortality, are sufficiently definitive and conclusive. They confirm the ancient and non opinion that physicians are not only nt, but vicious. His announcement that they (the germs) have been discovered in large quantities in the mucous membranes of healthy persons; that they are found in the d@st of every room; and are said to be in timothy grass, dis- closes new perils to both men and horses, at this time akin to a calamity. For with racers ruled the course by an odious law they must here- after keep off the grass until a germ-free forage can be tound. The multitude of mucous mem- branes aiready clogged with the dust of a politi- cal campaign, no longer “ immune,’ must suc- cumb to the germs lurking in the all pervasive dust. Boiled water, parboiled milk, and deci- mated herds, are now an inadequate defense against the great white plague, “Ehew, quantus equis quantus adest viris \" boil the grass will seriously overtax” the laundries. Decimation of politicians is probably unlawful. The elusive dust, like snow, is be- yond the power of the street brigades. Nothing remains but the remedy of your correspondent : Let the people take to the woods. The man and horse wandering among the de- seried streets may find a ray of comfort in the words of the original discredited discoverer, that bovine and human tuberculosis are not the same, and that infection is rarely passed from cattle to man. Who knows? Possibly clean food, unpol- lued water and decent habits make a safe work- ing formula, wholesale slaughter omitted. In this quandary he guides the starving horse n empty stall and taking possession of a nt mansion calmly awaits the coming of a uter discoverer. ——— Wasuinoton, in the last days. The True Spirit of Christmas Life's Christmas Number On Sale at all Newsstands Dec. | A most attractive Issue of an always attractive Journal Price 25 Cents Sent Carriage Free on Receipt of Price LIFE PUBLISHING COMPANY 17 West Thirty-first Street New York City The Only One of Its Kind : Humorous : Artistic : Satirical : Dainty +: Literary If You Are a Person of culture, refinement or intelligence, or all three, you cannot afford not to know LIFE. If you have a sense of humor, you should see it every week. Perhaps you know LIFE slightly. Perhaps you don’t know LIFE at all. To get acquainted will cost you Only One Dollar Send that amount with your name and address to Life Publishing Company, 17 West 31st St., New York, and LIFE will come fo you every week for three months, The conditions of this SPECIAL OFFER are: It is open only to nez subscribers. The subscription must come to us direct; not through an agent or dealer. It must reach us before January, 1909. No subscriptions will be renewed at this rate. Five Dollars a Year : For Sale Everywhere : Ten Cents a Copy : The Best Artists : The Best Writers comicbooks.com