Life, 1917-10-25 · page 35 of 44
Life — October 25, 1917 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical short story titled "Wanted: A Good Doctor," satirizing the difficulty of finding trustworthy medical care. **The Satire's Point:** Mr. Appleboy, though ill, refuses to see a doctor—claiming he doesn't know "the right kind." His wife attempts to establish rational criteria for selecting a physician: honesty, broad experience, current knowledge, freedom from fads, and humility about limitations. **The Social Commentary:** The humor targets both patient skepticism and professional self-interest. When Dr. Goode is mentioned as a candidate, Mrs. Appleboy rejects him because he's "gone into surgery" to "make more money at it" and would "want to operate upon you...no matter what might be the matter." This reflects early 20th-century concern that doctors were financially incentivized to perform unnecessary procedures—a criticism that remains relevant today. **The Irony:** Appleboy wants the "right" doctor but uses vague excuses to avoid medical consultation entirely, suggesting human reluctance to face health problems transcends finding good practitioners. The surrounding ads (Allen's Foot-Ease, typing classes) are period advertisements unrelated to the satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Wanted: A Good Doctor “NJEVER!” said Mr. Appleboy. Although Mr. Appleboy wasn’t well; although he hadn't been very well for some time, and although he was secretly much concerned about his con- dition, his determination not to sce a doctor appeared to be stronger than ever. “No,” he added to his distressed wife, “F assure you, my dear, I am not prejudiced. But I don’t believe a doc- tor would do me any good. This will pass off, anyway.” “If I can get the right kind of a doctor,” said Mrs. Appleboy, “ will you see him? “Certainly. Why not? I want to get well.” Mrs, Appleboy reflected. “If my brother Jim were only here,” she said. “He's a doctor himself and he would know. He wouldn't treat you himself. Besides he’s a specialist. But he would tell us whom to consult. His opinion would be valuable and honest. There would be nothing in de- ceiving us. Well,” said Appleboy, “he isn't : here. To be candid with you, my dear, h I wish he was. My main objections to ‘, consulting a doctor are simply that I * don’t know just the man. There ought , to be a good doctor somewheres. But where is he? Of course, I wouldn't be : such a fool as not to consult one, in . my present condition, if I thought that by doing so I would get well.” ! Mrs. Appleboy looked relieved. ; asensible man. Let us sit down calmly and pick out just the kind of a doctor you want.” “Good! To do this, we will make a And sprinkle in the Foot-Bath. One war relief committee reports, that of all the things sent out last’ y their Comfort Bags or, “'Kits. Allen's Foot=Ease received the most praise from the soldiers. The American, British and French, troops use it, because it takes the Friction from the shoe and freshens the feet. The Plattsburg Camp Manual advises men in training to shake Foot== Ease in their shoes each morning. Why pot order a, dozen packages today rom your dealer to mail to your FootwEase 'F soldier friends in training camps aed in the army and navy? Sold by Druggists and partment stores everywhere, 25 cents. “Oh, splendid!” she said. “ That's ‘coderful machine practice makes keyboard as simple as a ea Learn while working. Get i Toully new system. Based on Gymnastic Finger Training! | | W.J.Black. Pass Traffic Mj A T.8S.F Rs list of his qualifications. First, he must be absolutely honest.” “Certainly, that goes without say- ing.” “Then he must have had a long general experience, while at the same time he has kept up with the latest discoveries. “In order to avoid them?” smiled Mrs. Appleboy. “Partly. He must be without fads, free from medical technique and prej- udices, and frank to admit his own limitations.” “How about Dr. Goode? our family physician once.” “He has gone into surg can make more money at it. be safe to consult him?” Mrs. Appleboy reflected. He was y, as he Would it “Oh, no!" she exclaimed. “He would want to operate upon you at once, no matter what might be the matter with you.”