Life, 1920-02-19 · page 47 of 48
Life — February 19, 1920 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **commercial advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It promotes Piso's, a cough remedy medicine. The image shows children playing outdoors in winter snow, depicting the seasonal context when colds spread. The ad's appeal is straightforward: winter brings coughs in children; Piso's provides relief by soothing irritated throats. Key selling points emphasized: - Safe and effective ("since Civil War days") - Contains no opiates (important assurance for early 20th-century medicine) - Affordable (30 cents) - Available at drugstores The complementary product "Piso's Throat and Chest Salve" is also mentioned. For modern readers: this represents vintage patent medicine marketing—before FDA regulations required rigorous safety testing. The longevity claim and formula transparency were typical trust-building tactics of the era. This appeared in *Life* magazine during a period when such advertisements were standard editorial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
In Winter Time When Children Cough N rainy, slushy days, little folks come in cold and wet. Per- haps tender little throats become irritated and inflamed, and troublesome coughs develop. It is then that Piso’s proves its worth. A teaspoonful—if given immediately, will often prevent more serious winter ailments from developing. It will bring comfort to little folks and big folks too, by soothing tickly, scratchy throats and coughs—by relieving hoarseness. Keep Piso’s always in the medicine cabinet ready for i t use when needed. Since Civil War days Piso’s has been the same. Safe, effective, areal home help. The formula is on every package. 30 CENTS AT YOUR DRUGGIST'S Contains no opiate. Good for young and old. Piso's Throat and Chest Salve is remarkably beneficial when used in connection with Piso's. comicbooks.com