Life, 1909-02-11 · page 10 of 28
Life — February 11, 1909 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the medical practice of **vivisection** (animal experimentation). The top illustration shows a fantastical nighttime laboratory scene with grotesque animal-human hybrids, mocking the public's fears about what happens in research facilities. The text presents quotes defending vivisection's scientific value—mentioning wireless telegraphy and ocean travel safety—while acknowledging public opposition and "misunderstanding." Dr. Gorem Slicke and Dr. Hamilton Sleer are satirical names for vivectionists. "**Saving the Republic**" mocks this defense by claiming vivisection rescued 1,600 people aboard the *Republic* ship. The accompanying comic strip "**Not Her Affinity**" appears unrelated—a separate humor piece about class or romantic miscommunication. The page ridicules both vivisectionists' rationalizations and public squeamishness about animal research.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
rs ERE “1am glad to see that vivisection is at last coming to its own. Having cut up nearly two thousand cats and dogs my- self, I know whereof I'm talking. The Republic rescue only calls attention again to the wonderful strides that medical science is making, all through animal experiments. How did vivisection bring about wireless telegraphy? Why, ask any gentleman from the Rockefeller Institute.”” Dr. Gorem Slickke, the celebrated leg grafter, said: “Tt ought to be a great comfort to every one to know that through the advance in medical science, and the continuous cutting up of animals, anybody may now embark for Europe with perfect safety. Wireless telegraphy—the natural out- come of vivisection—has made ocean travel safe. Yes, yes, I know that it will be denied. But then, but then, we are prepared for calumny. We expect to be misunderstood.” “YOU SAY ME HAS BROKEN MIS ENGAGEMENT? "? “ves! SME NEVER TOLD MIM HER FAMILY LIVED IN AN ONION.” Saving the Republic Rescue Due Entirely to Vivisection HAT the recent marvelous rescue of sixteen hundred people from ill-fated steamship Republic was due entirely to the many experiments made upon animals is not generally known, owing to the prejudice on the part of many against the advances made in medical science. The truth, however, can no longer > be concealed. Vivisection did it. Dr. J. Hamilton Slicer, the well- known surgeon, said, when interviewed : “Yes, it is all true. If it hadn't been for our experiments on live ani- mals wireless telegraphy would not be to-day, saving the lives of countless women and children. Of course the rescue from the Republic was but an incident. We shall keep on saving lives just like this, day and night, wherever it is necessary. And yet there are mis- guided people who think that vivisection is a crime. Dr. Kutham Inndeep, the prominent appendix remover, (operations from $s,000 up, according to social standing), said: comicbooks.com