Life, 1912-11-21 · page 40 of 44
Life — November 21, 1912 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not political satire. However, the "Epigrams on Doctors" section offers historical humor worth noting. The epigrams are witty 18th-century poems mocking specific physicians and medical practices. They satirize: - **Dr. Cheyne**, a Scottish vegetarian doctor, ridiculed for his dietary theories (compared to feeding grass to donkeys) - **Dr. Radcliffe**, criticized for over-prescribing pills that cause side effects worse than the original illness - **Dr. Lettsom**, whose name becomes a pun: treating patients indiscriminately ("I physics, bleeds, and sweats 'em"), with the dark joke that patients sometimes die anyway The humor reflects **pre-modern medical skepticism**—bloodletting, purging, and arbitrary prescriptions were standard but often harmful. These verses mock the medical profession's confidence despite limited actual effectiveness. The rest of the page consists of period advertisements for chocolates, ocean cruises, glassware, and patent services—typical early 20th-century magazine content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
We have set aside a Y,-Pound Box Without Charge for youto gf INTRODUCE a new standard of quality into the world of sweets. Made of the choicest materials blended in new and better ways. Nobility Chocolates—$1 a pound. SATISFACTION BOX—FREE Simply send the postage (10c) with your name aod addiea and your dealer's name and you wil Teceive this Quarter-pousd Box by return mail. looS=-WILES Gmrany 208 Washington St., North Boston, Mass. Epigrams on Doctors The following shafts of wit, humor and satire (compiled by W, Davenport Adams in “The Book of Epigrams”) have been gath from various sources. We reprint these selections through the courtesy of the publishers of the book Messrs. George Routledge & Sons, Ltd., London, On Doctor Cheyne, the Vegetarian Tell me from whom, fat-headed Scot, Thou didst thy sysiem learn; From Hippocrates thou hadst it not, Nor Celsus, nor Pitcairn Suippose we own that milk is good, And say the samecof grass; The one for babes is only food, The other for an ass. Doctor! oursnew: prescription: try I's advice forgive) ; reduce thyself, and die;— Thy patients then may live Dr. Wynter. Reply to the Above system, Doctor, is my own, No tutor I pretend; My blunders hurt myself alone, But yours your dearest friend. Were you to milk and straw confin'd, Thrice happy might you he: Perhaps you might regain your mind, And from your wit get free. I can't your kind prescription try, Bat heartily forgive; "Tis nat’ral you should bid me die, That you yourself may live . —Dr. Cheyne. The Remedy Worse Than the Disease I sent for Radcliffe; was so ill ‘That other doctors gave me over; He felt my pulse, preserib’d a pill, And I was likely to recover. But when the wit began to wheeze, And wine had warm'd the politician, Cur'd yesterday of my disease, ight of my physician. Prior (1664-1721). On Dr. Lettsom, by Himself When people’s ill, they comes to I, I physics, bleeds, and sweats 'em; jeu they Jive) sometimes they’dlé! ‘s that to I? T lets ‘em. John Coakley Lettsom (1744-1815) CUNARD Cruises Unsurpassed Luxury and Comfort Madeira, Gibraltar, Algiers The pleasing and attractive designs of Heisey’s Trade Mark a 393 LEMON DISH Glassware together with its crys tal-likeclearnessalways makes the table invit. ing and adds savor ty the food. Quality and durability considered, is the lowest priced glass ware made. !t is for sak only by the best crockery and department _ stores. Write for a copy of ou “Handbook for the Hostess” A. H. Heisey & Co. Dept. 62 Newark, Obia 395 Condiment Sead sketch for free search of Patent Office Records. Odiain a Patent and What to lavent rich list of inventions weett and prizes oered for inventions sent free. Patents advertised fete. VICTOR J. EVANS & CO., Washington, D. C. Write for a Its at It ist ever pu stands < A tol to have have kn THE SU Sample Cake For 2c. we'll send you a sample of JERGENS For Particulars op ply to Violet Glycerine Soap CUNARD STEAMSHIP CO., LTD. ‘ sfaonehstecaaehe cal 21 State St., New York oda y a “ FRANCONIA” Nov. 28, Jan. 18 “LACONIA” Jan. 4 “CARONIA” Jan. 30, Mar. 15 ALA CARTE WITHOUT CHARGE STOPOVERS PERMITTED comicbooleee