Life — April 17, 1913 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis: Page 768 of Life Magazine This page contains a **satirical article titled "Do Not Believe It"** alongside tobacco advertising. The article, attributed to Dr. George Wharton James in *The Animals' Appeal*, mocks the notion that animal cruelty can be justified through "scientific investigation." The piece sarcastically catalogs horrific experiments (burning, scalping, poisoning animals) supposedly done in science's name, then declares such cruelty unjustifiable regardless of educational pretense. The irony is sharp: the page simultaneously runs a **Velvet Tobacco advertisement** claiming the product offers "contentment"—a jarring juxtaposition between condemning exploitation and promoting a consumer good. Below is a hotel advertisement. The satire appears to critique both scientific rationalization of harm and commercial messaging's hollow promises.