Life, 1912-12-19 · page 3 of 40
Life — December 19, 1912 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines moral satire with patent medicine advertising. The left column presents a parable titled "Some Sins are Worse Than Others," depicting how different social groups teach their children harmful behaviors—from poisoning babies with laudanum to encouraging gambling and consorting with "Daughters of Pleasure." The narrative suggests that moral hypocrisy is widespread across classes. The central cartoon illustrates the page's ironic conclusion: a doctor recommends "Sanatogen" for nerve troubles. This is itself satire—the advertisement promotes Sanatogen as a scientific cure, claiming 10,000 physicians endorse it, yet the parable just exposed how "doctors" (authority figures) spread false remedies. The Arnica Soap ad below represents typical early-1900s patent medicine marketing, reinforcing Life's satirical point about commercial exploitation of health anxieties.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
tillers > past. stocks n the - 1820. isky in 2 name dress: ork , whisky motion. —_ Some Sins are Worse Than Others There was a Certain Land wherein the People were a Pious People, a Virtuous People, a Ri ous People and True Be- lievers ; nevertheless, being Human, they Sinned, Came persons and said to their women: “This will make the baby sleep and do him no harm"; and they believed what was told them and gave the medicine to the baby and he died. Then were they punished for killing the baby. Came others and told them: “ This is good food and will make you strong”; and they believed what was told them and ate the food, and it was not good and they became sick. Then were those punished for selling bad food. Came others and told them: “If you slit a bird’s tongue and put out its eyes, it will sing better”; and they believed what was told them and did this to help- less birds. Then were they punished for Cruelty to Animals. Came others and told their young men: “It is fine and manly to Sce Life, to spend moncy freely, to drink, to smoke, to gamble and to consort with those whom we call The Daughters of Pleas- ure and also The Unfortunates"; and they believed what was told them and fell from grace and performed these various acts, and were not punished— save as they sickened, and their wives sickened, and their children sickened, and they died. Came others and told their young women that if they wore monstrous and ugly things which rendered them help- less in action and incommodious to all near neighbors, they would be attractive and beloved; and they believed what was told them and wore these things and were not attractive and not beloved. And Positive Delight to Brush the Teeth and gums with Amica Tooth Soap. It sterilizes the mouth, ying putrefactive and fermentative bacteria, and luces a delightful sense of cleanliness that cannot be obtained with pastes, powders or washes, Strong’s Arnica Tooth Soap (Cleanser and Mouth Wash in One) a the aly preparation which perlectly cleanses and polishes the teeth fihet possibility of abeasion. while its antiseptic properties lasure Beakhy gcins and a sweet bres owes to a handy metal box—Nothing to break or spill. A cons Wenicat cake that lasts for months. 3c at your druggist —or send direct. GH.STRONG&CO, - - - Chicago Copyright, 1912, The Bawer Chemical Co., New York, “‘The Doctor told us Sanatogen is just what you need for your nerves”’ NCONSCIOUSLY, perhaps, thousands of men and women, in their desire to forge ahead and accomplish, find themselves suddenly ap- proaching the brink of nervous breakdown. And how many men and women—under just such circumstances—look back with gratitude to the friendly interest that told them of the remark- able revitalizing and upbuilding powers of Sanatogen, the food tonic. When nerves lose their vitality—due to overwork, worry or illness— other normal bodily functions also become impaired. | Restless sleep, di: turbed digestion, physical lassitude, insomnia, all are directly traceable to nerve tire. Sanatogen is intended especially to combat the debilitating ravages of nerve exhaustion. Its scientific combination of purest protein and organic phosphorus—in rea ssimilable form—imposes no tax upon digestion—no artificial, harmful stimulation. Sanatogen is just pure con- centrated energy and food—replenishing the strength and reserve of the over-taxed nervous system, helping other food te digest ‘and nourish. Over 16,000 physicians have placed the seal of their written endorsement upon Sanatogen as the real, the scientific food and tonic. You may find the answer to your nerve troubles in its use. A Remarkable Book FREE Upon Request The work of a physician author, beautifully illustrated, which tells you some really interesting things about your nervous system, facts which vitally affect your well-being and which, therefore, you ought to know. Ask for a FREE copy of “Nerve Health Regained.” Sanatogen is sold in three sizes, $1.00, $1.90, $3.60 Get Sanctogen from your druggist—if not obtainable from him, sent upon receipt of price by THE BAUER CHEMICAL COMPANY, 24-E Irving Place, New York ‘The well-known re Stevens Institute, wrnes: gen are rei plete with greatest ease. Prof. C. A. Ewald of Herlia ply woadertal John Burroughs Streagth are inach improved David Belasco none were punished save that many were made unhappy continuously. Came others and told their men: “There is no Happiness but Success, and no Success without Wealth, and no Wealth without getting it away from other people”; and they believed what was told them and strove with one an- other continually for Wealth and Suc- cess and Happiness—and there was Pov- erty and Failure and Misery without end. And the Righteous were grieved at the Sins of the world, and some they called 2479 Vices and some they called Crimes, and they punished some and some they did not punish. And some they did not call Sin at all Nevertheless, some Sins are worse than others. From Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Fore- runner. At His Uncle's Bitrox: “Well, old man, are you go- ing to hang up your socks this Christ- mas Turton (sadly): “No; my dress suit.” —Lippincott’s, comicbooks.com