Life, 1911-06-29 · page 13 of 45
Life — June 29, 1911 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page contains two distinct pieces: **"War" editorial** argues that eminent statesmen should be spared from military service to conduct peace negotiations, rather than risk their lives in combat. **"The Workings of a Great Discovery"** discusses meningitis mortality statistics in New York City from 1905-1909, crediting Dr. Flexner of the Rockefeller Institute with developing an anti-meningitis serum first used in April 1907. The data shows dramatic improvement: case fatalities dropped from 73.8% (1905) to 51.2% (1908), demonstrating the serum's effectiveness. The accompanying cartoon humorously depicts a butcher's shop assistant requesting sausage wrapped like flowers—a satirical visual comment unrelated to the text. The page reflects early-1900s Progressive Era optimism about scientific medicine's potential to save lives.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WAY SHE SOMETIMES LOOKS To US War ‘AR is that condition which is brought about when the eminent statesmen of one nation cannot agree with the eminent statesmen of another nation. To settle the disagreement it becomes necessary to send men who know nothing of the diplomatic angles of the mat- ter to shoot at each other. Many are killed and many more are wounded, and eventually the war is over, with one side or the other victorious. And the eminent statesmen—how many of them are slain and wounded? Bless you! It would not do for them to take part in the wars they arrange. It is necessary that they be spared to conduct the peace negotiations. O cruel lights of Gotham, If tears your lights could drown, Your victims’ eyes would weep them, O lights of Gotham Town! The Workings of a Great Discovery D® FLEXNER, of the Rockefeller Institute, says of cerebro spinal meningitis, that “ where 75 per cent. died, now 7§ per cent. recover.” The New York City Health Department appears to dis- agree with the noted vivisector. In its weekly reports it says there were, in Greater New York : In 1905, 2,670 Cases, 2,025 Deaths, 75.8% Case Fatalities 1906, 980 813 82.9% 1907, 795 652 82.1% “ 1908, 396 359 90.6% “ “1 WANT A COUPLE OF POUNDS OF ER—SAUSAGE, 1909, 339 330 97:3% “ PLEASE, AND ER—OBLIGE ME BY WRAPPING THEM UP TO The anti-meningitis serum was first used in April, 1907. LOOK LIKE A ER—BUNCH OF VIOLETS.” comicbooks.com