Life, 1916-09-07 · page 8 of 40
Life — September 7, 1916 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon depicts Life magazine's satirical commentary on tonsil removal surgery. The illustration shows a group of figures in a "crack-the-whip" formation being pulled along by a large doctor or surgeon figure at the front. The chain of people being dragged appears to represent children or patients, suggesting they're being forcibly subjected to tonsil removal procedures. The accompanying article, "The Tonsil Hunters," critiques physicians' enthusiasm for removing tonsils, quoting Dr. Royal S. Copeland comparing it to public utility companies recklessly destroying valuable resources. The satire mocks the trend of aggressive tonsil extraction as a widespread medical practice with insufficient justification, treating children as passive victims in the medical establishment's pursuit.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
4h) | 390 Life’s Fresh Air Fund Inclusive of 1915, Lire’s Fees Aix Fuxo has been in operation twenty-nine years. In that time it has expended $157,495.60 and has given @ fortnight in the ‘country to a7gz8 poor city children, ¢ fund is supported entirely by bequests end voluntary contributions, which are ec- knowledged in this column, Previously acknowledged $7,595.49 “EN, 2.00 5.00 10.00 6.44 Valdemar Jordser: Yoichams, Japa 10.00 Elizabeth, Barbara and Eleanor Bur- : 30.00 5.00 5.00 Proceeds of 4 fair ‘beld ‘at ‘Kenne- Dunkport, ‘Maine, ‘by Elizabeth Brown, Nancy Semple, Anne Bow- man, ‘Louise Morrison, Louise Fisher, and Mary Laurason Ries “In me Mrs. A. den Glow McLellan, W. Turle - x” Byshwell The Tonsil Hunters ovr virile contemporary, Medical Freedom, tells its readers that many prominent physicians deplore the present mania for removing tonsils, and that in a recent address Dr. Royal S. Copeland, of New York City, said: If any public service corporation— for instance, a telephone company— cut holes in as many beautiful shade trees on the public streets and lawns of any community as our specialists cut holes in the throats of helpless children, there would be such a howl of protest as would awaken the laziest official from his civic sleep. ii iA wan wie mexico, J CRACK-THE-WHIP In the Millennium TTORNEY (to a prospective cli- ent): Yes, 1 know of a. techni- ‘cality that will result in your acquittal, and I am not unmindful of the enor- mous fee you offer. Nevertheless, I must refuse to defend you because I am convinced of your guilt. Jupce (to an attorney): It is quite true that when practicing as an attor- ney I was most stupid and ignorant; so much so, in fact, as to be notorious for it. And I have not improved since then. I am constrained therefore to render judgment against your client, whose cause seems to be both just and ight. The truth is your argument is too clever for me, and I have a preju- dice against you which I find it diffi- cult to overcome. Doctor (to his patient): Your ail- ment, my dear man, is a puzzle to me, and I haven't the slightest idea of how to cure you. Yet, you might try these pills. I know that they are harmless, and the psychological effect upon you may, after all, be beneficial. Eli S. Wolbarst. AKER: Manning is making a great success in literature. Barker: Plotless stories, humorless jests or formless verse?