Life, 1917-03-15 · page 7 of 42
Life — March 15, 1917 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
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.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE The Old Doctor His gaunt white pony toiling up the hill. E always liked to have some trifling ill, He held no cult of new and subtle arts, Yet his keen skill their pretence might have shamed; So we could send for him to come, and hear His sprightly comment on things far and ncar, Flavored with kindness, like the sugared pill Father-confessor to a thousand hearts, He solved more-woes than those their bodies claimed. Strong, human, wise, he eased their souls of pain,” He gave us for each slightest ache or chill; And when there came a cause for graver fear, And made both flesh and spirit whole again. Charlotte Becker. We saw with hopes upheld by quickened cheer SSS AES Awe hy “THE DOCTOR SAYS HE WILL LET ME KNOW IN A WEEK WHETHER I AM GOING TO Live Ok Not.” “AND WHAT DOES HE EXPECT YOU TO DO IN THE MEANTIME?” “He TOLD ME TO TAKE A COMPLETE REST AND ABOVE ALL NOT TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING,” comicbooks.com -