Life, 1917-10-04 · page 11 of 44
Life — October 4, 1917 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**The Three Cartoons (Top):** Three sketches labeled "Hot Water," "Hot Air," and "Steam" depict figures in uncomfortable or chaotic situations—likely visual metaphors for different types of trouble or pressure. **"Why Not Have Conservation of Operations?"** This article critiques unnecessary surgical procedures. Dr. Arthur Dean Bevan of Chicago is quoted arguing that many operations performed in America are "unnecessary and unwarranted." The piece advocates for surgical restraint, noting that surgeons perform procedures without medical necessity, potentially harming patients and their reputations unfairly. The satire targets the medical profession's financial incentives to over-operate. **"Couldn't Fool Him"** A brief humorous anecdote about a man buying corsets, mocking women's fashion constraints and assumptions about dress sizing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HOT Watt hi PB Why Not Have Conservation of Operations? SO lens as we have to economize, why not apply the principle to ions, as well as dress goods and We surely ought to have the fullest opportunity to dic in other ways hesides being operated upon. That people do die from being operated upon, and that many operations now heing performed are not at all ne even the experts themselves are sary, willing to admit. For instance, Dr. Arthur Dean Bev- » of Chicago, who declares that “I give way to no man in my admiration and respect for the splendid work that is being done by American surgeons,” also says: “On the other hand, those who are in touch actively with surgeon therapy, who see a large number of surgi cases and who come in contact with a large number of men doing surgical operations, cannot but be impressed with the fact there is a certain con- siderable number of operations bein performed in this country that are sary and unwarranted.” y, indeed, should this not be s¢ There are no restrictions _p! upon surgeons with regard to opera- tions, Every successful operation, no matter whether it is really necessary or not, adds to the prestige of the surgeon, If, on the other hand, the patient dies, the reputation of the sur- geon does not necessarily suffer. And he is handsomely paid—even for his istakes. ed 535 Moreover, the surgeon has to make a living, and he must learn to perfect himself in all of the various things which help him to make a living. Among these may be mentioned a good bed- side manner, a perfection in the means of frightening the patient, and a greater absorption in what is termed the “ sci- entific spirit”—which means an in- creased disregard for human life. Couldn't Fool Him “| WANT to get a pair of corsets for my wife. “Yes, sir. Jim, hand me down a pair of thirty-five-inch ones.” “Why, how did you know her size?” “Any woman who allows her hus- band to buy her corsets always has a thirty-five-inch wais comicbooks.com