Life, 1923-08-30 · page 8 of 36
Life — August 30, 1923 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct items: **Top Section:** A satirical article titled "Why Rats Should Not Use Tobacco" describes a scientific study at Battle Creek Sanitarium testing tobacco's effects on rats. The text humorously reports results—one rat became "morose," another gained weight after nicotine treatment—presenting the findings as if they were serious research. This appears to satirize both pseudo-scientific justifications for anti-tobacco campaigns and the era's various health fads. **Bottom Cartoon:** Shows a woman doing laundry while a snake ("Mr. Python") retrieves clothes from a clothesline. The caption reads: "Mrs. Hippo's Clothesline Having Been Stolen, Mr. Python Volunteers His Services." This is a visual pun playing on the absurdity of unlikely animal substitutions for everyday problems. Both items exemplify Life's satirical humor style.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE et Sours “THAT FELLOW IS ONE OF ORIGINAL ARTISTS THE BOLDEST I KNow.” AND MOST “YES, HE PAINTS PICTURES OF CAMELS BUT LEAVES OUT THE PYRAMIDS.” MRS, Why Rats Should Not Use Tobacco HE research department of the Battle Creek Sani- tarium has been conducting a series of experiments in the influence of tobacco upon animal life, particularly upon rats. The results will be embodied in a report to the “Committee of Fifty to Study the Tobacco Problem,” or- ganized by Professor Irving Fisher of Yale. From the preliminary report Lire is permitted to give these extracts: Subject 14, elderly male rat, was enclosed in glass hox and subjected to smoke from Llama cigarettes. Took to jazz dancing, and stayed out late at night. When sub- mitted to intelligence tests recorded belief that William J. Bryan is a statesman. . Subject 23, female rat, was given small quantity of Burlap Loose Chewing tobacco mixed with diet. Became agely attacked companions. Announced intention of joining Lucy Stone League. Subject 79, member of Robert Reed Anti-Tobacco was fed mixture of willow leaves and black-strap molasses, flavored with nicotine. Gained 14 ounces in ten days; grew chin whiskers, and approved Professor Fish- er’s Stabilized Dollar. On the basis of this showing of the injurious effects of tobacco, the Committee of Fifty will recommend the adop- tion of a constitutional amendment, prohibiting the sale morose ands League, of cigars, cigarettes, smoking and chewing tobacco, and snuff to any rat under two years of age. W.G 'OMMERCIALLY speaking, some customers are easicr to trim than a window. HIPPO'S CLOTHESLINE HAVING BEEN STOLEN, MR. PYTHON VOLUNTEERS HIS SERVICES. comicbooks.com