Life, 1912-06-13 · page 11 of 44
Life — June 13, 1912 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes class inequality through two contrasting scenes. The top illustration shows poor men in worn suits desperately approaching well-dressed women, depicting poverty-stricken men's economic desperation versus wealthy women's comfort. The accompanying article titled "Baseless Charge" defends Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, a prominent researcher accused by New Yorkers of conducting unethical experiments (injecting diseases into animals and humans) at the Rockefeller Institute. The text argues his research benefits humanity and dismisses public criticism as "silly sentiment," prioritizing scientific progress over ethical concerns about human experimentation. The cartoon "Lucky" shows a rabbit evading danger—perhaps commenting on experimental subjects' slim chances of survival.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE THE POOR AND THE RICH “Baseless Charge” HY call it a “ baseless charge”? The word “charge” implies something discreditable. Why is Dr. Hideyo Noguchi so sensitive? It appears that certain prominent New Yorkers accused this doctor of inoculating 146 per- sons with a virulent blood disease. The accusation is hotly denied. Why deny a deed that helps the cause of science? This “researcher,” at the Rockefeller Institute, by in- jecting diseases into mice or monkeys, probably discovered something that he tries to believe will cure a human ail- ment. How can he verify it until tried, not on one, but on many humans? And to what better use could be put a fatherless child? The maternity hospitals furnish rich material and ‘tis: a short step from monkeys to babies. The welfare of the human race is of far more importance than quite a number of hospital patients. Miss Rabbit: DON'T DESPAIR, MR. BUNNY ; FATHER DID IT Have the courage of your convictions, Dr. Hideyo WITH HIS LEFT FOOT Noguchi. Do not be swayed by a silly public sentiment.