Life, 1910-12-15 · page 24 of 44
Life — December 15, 1910 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **anti-vaccination sentiment** in early 20th-century America. Dr. William Osler, a respected physician, defends vaccination against smallpox as effective and necessary. Life magazine presents his argument alongside contradictory testimony from other doctors who doubt vaccination's value or claim it harmed them. The satire works by **juxtaposing expert opinion**: Osler confidently endorses vaccination based on epidemiological evidence, while Life quotes prominent medical figures (Creighton, Bakewell, Fordwent, Crookshanks) who reject it entirely. The magazine appears skeptical of Osler's defensive tone, implying his certainty masks uncertainty within the medical profession itself. The cartoon at top left—a figure juggling uncertainty about vaccination—reinforces this theme of confusion. The page demonstrates that **vaccine hesitancy is not modern**: in this era, legitimate doctors publicly rejected vaccination despite its proven track record against smallpox.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
R. WILLIAM OSLER is, we understand, a wise and inter- esting gentleman. In the American Magazine for De- cember he says: “ Here I would like to say a word or two upon one of the most terrible of all acute infections, the one of which we first learned the control through the work of Jenner. A great deal of literature has been distributed casting discredit upon the value of vaccination in the prevention of smallpox. I do not see how anyone who has gone through epidemics as I have, or who is familiar with the history of the subject, and who has any capacity left for clear judgment, can doubt its value.” Now, here is an expert opinion. It certainly is positive, and it may be of considerable importance. We have the im- pression that Dr. Osler, in writing it, was a trifle “hot,” and is on the defensive. If he is correct in his opinion it will be mortifying news to countless Amerigans who have not only lost faith in vaccination but shrink from it with terror. Also, many scientific men across the water will be sorry to learn of their incapacity “for clear judgment.” Among English- men, for instance, Charles Creighton, M.D., M.A., says: “ The Anti-Vaccinists have knocked the bottom out of a grotesque superstition."”—Royal Commission on Vaccination, Question No. §,126. Also, R. Hall Bakewell, M.D., M.R.C.S., formerly Vacei- nator General and Medical Officer of Health for Trinidad, author of Pathology and Treatment of Smallpox: “I have very little faith in Vaccination even as modifying the disease, and none at all as a protective in virulent epidemics. Personally, I CONTRACTED SMALLPOX LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER A MOST SEVERE RE-VACCINATION. And George ‘‘ordwent, M.D., deputy coroner for West Somerset, for twen. * years a public vaccinator: “ Vaccination should not be practir~d; I sce no justification for it.”—Royal Commission on Vaces tion, Question No, 12,787. And E. M. Crooksha ik, M.D. (Lond.), M.R.C.S., professor of pathology and bacteriology in King’s College, London: “I maintain there is no scientific support for vaccination and the practice is destined to fall into desuetude.” Dr. Osler must have a poor opinion of the Registrar-Gen- eral’s yepotts which inform an awakening public that one thousand and sixty-nine children have been killed by vaccina- tion in England and Wales, according to the admission of medical men themselves Lines of Least Resis:.ace : In case—er—I should decide not to retain s ring, will you exchange it for something clse? Lex: Young man, it is a good deal easier for you to get another girl thax it would be for us to make the exchange. AVIATION GRAVITATION comicbooks.com