Life — April 13, 1922 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "A Momentary Qualm" This nine-panel comic strip depicts a man alone with a bottle of alcohol, showing his internal conflict about drinking. The title "A Momentary Qualm" suggests he experiences brief hesitation before succumbing to temptation. The sequence shows the man's escalating intoxication and emotional states—from initial resolve to drink, through moments of doubt (panel 6 shows what appears to be a newspaper about "Die from Wood Alcohol"), to eventual drunkenness. His facial expressions shift from determination to distress to resigned acceptance. This appears to be satirical commentary on alcohol consumption and addiction, possibly referencing Prohibition-era concerns about wood alcohol poisoning (a dangerous bootleg substitute). The comic critiques both the dangers of drinking and the weakness of human resolve against temptation.