Life, 1914-04-30 · page 17 of 44
Life — April 30, 1914 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
## The Cartoon ("When the Worm Turns") The illustration depicts a confrontation between a well-dressed man (appearing to be a doctor or medical authority) and an angry working-class man who has entered his office, while a woman cowers nearby. The "worm turns" references the proverb about even the meekest eventually rebelling. ## The Satire's Target The accompanying text attacks involuntary medical testing on infants, specifically tuberculosis inoculation. It argues that while adult men would rightfully refuse such procedures, defenseless babies are tested "every day all the year around" because parents are kept ignorant of "the underlying motives of the men behind the syringe." The cartoon illustrates this injustice finally sparking public outrage. ## Additional Content The page includes two satirical fake advertisements: "How to Lose Your Memory" (mocking desire to escape uncomfortable truths) and "Advice to a Rich Girl" (cynically suggesting financial trust reflects marital trust). The overall theme critiques medical paternalism and the powerlessness of both children and working-class families against institutional authority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
necessary to say to him would be, “ Oh, yes, you look healthy, but after we have inoculated you, it may be discovered that you have tuberculosis!” Would the average man submit to this sort of thing? Would there be riots? * Yet defenseless babies, according to Dr. Holt’s own testimony, are given this test every day all the year around, because they cannot help themselves, and their parents or guardians are in ignorance of the underlying motives of the men behind the syringe. WHEN THE WORM TURNS How to Lose Your Memory Wonderful Offer Open To All. ILL anybody dare to dispute the cardinal fact that most of our troubles come from not being able to forget? This being so, it is important that you should consult us at once. Many Americans remember things for several days. This is a habit likely to become fastened upon one unless it is taken in time. We make it pos- sible by complete loss of memory to save you everything disagreeable. Are you married? By our system you can forget your wife. Are you an honest man? Then why dwell on it? We can make you unable to recall the fact. A thousand mistakes of the past, with the consciousness of having made them, completely obliterated at a minimum price. Advice to a Rich Girl ON'T marry any man to whom you would not trust your whole for- tune—then don’t trust him with it comicbooks.com