Life, 1911-06-29 · page 40 of 45
Life — June 29, 1911 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from Life magazine (undated but early 20th century) mixes advertisements with social commentary typical of the publication's satirical approach. **"What's the Use?"** is a cautionary poem by J. Wenzel about Fourth of July fireworks safety. It warns young men against celebrating Independence Day with dangerous explosives, arguing that losing limbs or eyesight serves neither personal nor national interest—soldiers need able-bodied men, and disabled workers cannot contribute to society. This reflects genuine public health concerns about holiday injuries. **The "Business and Medicine" section** satirizes a doctor who advertises his services and offers upfront cost estimates. The passage suggests this transparency, while ethically sound, violates medical profession norms against self-promotion. The satire questions why doctors won't adopt honest business practices. **The remaining content is advertising**: Boston Garter stockings, Overholt Rye whiskey, Abbott's Bitters, and a book advertisement for *Essence of Honeymoon*. The page reflects early-1900s American attitudes: safety concerns about holiday celebrations, professional anxieties about commercialism in medicine, and gendered assumptions about courtship and domesticity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PIES _—s = Boston Garter Viedk ip is sudo to sit all ewes, both a8 0 type sod style materials are highest grade. The webbing: are bis best quality, and will retain their str and elasticity, giving maximum service. Metal parts are of brass, rust proof, snd hear nickel Feges poll me “Boston. “Needraw™ for summer wear (no metal aah the skis’, “Pad,” a recent type excelling in comfort tad growing & favor, ‘The trade marks “Velvet Grip” and “Boston Garter” stamped on the loops. For sale erermnchere. Cotton, 25 cen GroRGe FROST Co. - - BOSTON. U: What's the Use ? F I celebrate Fourth of July With the death dealing things I can buy, With the ‘aid of the powder The noise may be louder, But it may be I'm minus an eye. Perhaps I may blow off my arm, Or encounter more serious harm; It’s unpatriotic, And I think idiotic To take out of life half its charm. For how can a fellow play ball, Or engage in athletics at all, If he hobbles on crutches, Or his hand always clutches A cane for support lest he fall? Do you think in the ‘Varsity crew They could find any opening for you, If in some celebration Of the birth of our nation You had blown off your hand, as some do? And how will you feel when you find That the soldier boys left you behind, No part to be lending To the nation’s defending Because you are crippled or blind? Now, fellows, I see no excuse Why we should not try to reduce The killing and maiming Our Fourths have been claiming— So let’s cut it out! What’s the use? J. Wenzel. “Tue Hague has done much toward promoting the peace of the world.” “Yes,” replied Miss Cheyenne, “and so has Reno.”"—Washington Star. Business and Medicine DOCTOR who advertises by send- ing out circulars and otherwise Ask the epicure—ask the dis. ? calling attention to his skill, has this to ‘ ho say about his methods : one enawer i mivar p “So long as a physician making pub- lic announcements states only facts, and | GOOD OLD } so long as he fulfills to the letter all his 7 obligations to his patients, he is strictly OVERHOLT RYE p within both his legal and moral rights Most preferred a those who e best know in advertising his special ability. . “When psi - — ‘ak ; ' : ment to all better occa- ake pains to make an exact diagnosis of their case. sions “T then tell them just what their con- dition is, what the exact cost of a com- Jay a plete cure will be and about how long ) it will take.” This particular doctor would not be recognized by any of the regular mem- WF 4 bers of the medical profession, and yet, ys j haven't they something to learn from i his methods of doing business? * bitasies F y Imagine any physician “in good Fe 7, * , standing" volunteering beforchand the ¥ tl if cost of his treatment! | That Summer Novel Is Just Published ESSENCE O HONEYMOON By H. Perry Robinson “When a married couple leave a hotel,” I said tol] 7 Euphemia, ‘‘the wife should walk quite independently of the husband. You need not cling to me.” ‘But I wasn’t going to,” interrupted Euphemia—‘‘walk straight on to the front door and strive to convey the impression that you are accus- tomed to having a husband around.” Everybody who has ever indulged in a honeymooa : will laugh over the delicious humor of the situations, and f everybody who hasn’t been honeymooning would better steer . clear of the book altogether—it is too fine, too dainty for the ’ uninitiated. HARPER & BROTHERS fut, to use with Grape Fruit, Oranges, Wine Jety. comicbooks.com