Life — March 15, 1917 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Old Doctor" - Life Magazine This page presents a sentimental poem by Charlotte Becker about a beloved family physician, accompanied by an illustration showing a doctor visiting a sick patient at home. The scene depicts a Victorian-era house call: an elderly doctor stands conversing with a young woman (likely a family member), while a patient lies ill in bed. The accompanying verse celebrates the doctor as a compassionate healer who brings comfort through his presence and expertise, easing "both flesh and spirit whole again." This reflects a historical moment when doctors made home visits as standard practice. The content idealizes the family physician as a trusted, intimate part of household life—a figure of wisdom and reassurance during medical crises. The satirical magazine chose to run this earnest tribute, likely celebrating traditional medical virtue.