Life, 1908-11-26 · page 5 of 24
Life — November 26, 1908 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines a satirical cartoon with educational humor about microbes. The main illustration depicts soldiers in a WWI trench, with the caption "HEY, THERE! WANT ANY HELP?" The joke plays on the invisible threat of disease—a microbe offering "help" to soldiers already suffering from infection and poor sanitary conditions. The accompanying text humorously personifies microbes as troublemakers, describing them as distributed by "flies, wind and doctors." It satirizes both the prevalence of disease in military settings and the era's limited understanding of germ theory. The brief dialogue at bottom about a nurse appears unrelated—possibly a separate joke or advertisement. The satire targets inadequate military sanitation and the very real danger microbes posed to soldiers, a significant problem during WWI.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
E Copyright 1908 by Lite Pubiihing Compass Short History of the Philippines 1.—We fought for them with Spain and got them by conquest. 2—We bought them from Spain. 3.—We fought for them with the Filipino patriots and got them by con- quest. 4—We bought a large part of them from the Pope. s.—We gave them back to the Pope and other private interests for purposes of benevolent assimilation, forcible Christianization and commercial exploi- tation 6.—In consideration of our generosi in giving them away, we continue to pay all bills of administration, pacification and subjugation. Question—Have we the Philippines or have we them not? “WEY, THERE! WANT ANY HELP? "* Microbes ICROBES came into existence about fifteen years ago. Since then they have multiplied so that they form one of our staple products. Microbes are of two kinds: the profit- able and the unprofitable. They are also called germs, a germ being a microbe who has been through college. But gen- erally speaking, a microbe by any other name costs just as much There is no law against the manufac- ture of microbes by minors, so th every one, down to the most diminutive infant, is constantly engaged in their culture. They are distributed by fi wind and doctors, being one of the important assets of medical science. One of the best ways to get a collection of microbes is from the ruby lips of a sweet girl Do not take them all at once, but only on the installment plan. Re- member also that there are good microbes and bad ones. plain clothes, is always ready to roll up The good microbe wears his sleeve and go to work in a good cause; has a sincere, open, hearty, bluff manner, and looks you straight in the The bad microbe is colors, smiles a crafty smile, and When an army of bad microbes, traveling rough- shod through your system, is suddenly met by an army of good microbes a jerce battle ensues. And if the latter win it makes you feel good. But if the former win you feel devastated eye. dressed in aud has a sandbag up his sleeve OOPOPP: Quick! tell me, nurse, is it a boy? Nur No; guess again. comicbooks.com