Life, 1913-04-10 · page 20 of 48
Life — April 10, 1913 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **three separate satirical pieces** mocking early 20th-century American institutions: 1. **"Life's Serum Plant"**: A scathing critique of pharmaceutical monopolies and medical fraud. The "serum manufacturers" boast of a corrupt system where Supreme Court justices are their family physicians, ensuring legal protection. The satire peaks with a testimonial from someone whose aunt died from their serum but left her $40,000—implying the real business is inheritance manipulation, not medicine. 2. **"An Aristocratic Profession"**: A brief joke about a Black woman named Cynthia who quit domestic service to become a "cateress" (caterer) for a congressman—likely satirizing how politicians or wealthy patrons exploit service workers while pretending to offer "better" employment. 3. **"Words of Cheer" and "The Main Point"**: Quick gags about the High Cost of Living and mining stock fraud, mocking corporate deception and the powerlessness of regulatory bodies like Congress. The overall theme: **institutional corruption**—medicine, politics, and finance all rigged to benefit the wealthy while harming ordinary people.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
732 ‘DERE selves that operations were almost always neces- sary, when there was really nothing the matter with the patient that could not be cured by fresh air and simple diet. This was the condition were invented. until serums It has remained for us to carry the idea to a finish and save the medical profe: Thank Heaven, we are no interference on the part of the authorities is likely. That we are run- ning a combination in restraint of trade is claimed by some. But every member of the Supreme Court has family * physician, and they are all members of our plant. Why say more? Our serums are all manufactured with the greatest care. We have long since outlived all mystery. The mo- ment you develop a disease, we inocu- late an animal with it; then we take from the serum thus created a suf- ficient quantity to cure any number of cases. Like cures like. Could any- thing be more simple? Horses, dogs, monkeys, cats or other animals are gratefully received, and it is a splendid way to dispose of your pet who may be too old now for any use, The following testimonial will show our method Dear Sirs: How can I thank you enough for the splendid burial you gave my aunt? You could not have been more kind or sympathetic. The fact that the serum you gave her did not effect a cure is of course unfortunate, but I realize that such things may happen. She left me forty thousand dollars. Gratefully, Don't wait. Even now need us. you may Life’s Serum Plant. An Aristocratic Profession YNTHIA, a young negro cook, who had recently given up her employment in order that she might try her luck at the easier profession of cateress, met her former mistress on the strect: “Good morning, Cynthia,” said the lady. “Where are you working now?” “TI isn’t workin’ nowhere now, ma'am,” replied Cynthia, coyly; “I'se capering for a congressman.” ion. t so strong that MUSIC, HEAVENLY MAID Words of Cheer “ ALAS!” sighed the High Cost of Living. “I learn that Congress is going to take immediate steps to reduce me.” “Cheer up,” advised the Protective Tariff. “Congress has been going to reduce me for thirty-five years.” The Main Point ELTER: Holmes gets a gigantic salary from that mining corpo- ration. Skevter: Able to locate gold mines, is he? Heuter: Not much. stock purchasers Able to locate comicbooks.com