Life, 1923-11-22 · page 7 of 34
Life — November 22, 1923 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks a hypochondriac named Mr. Ruffles who visits a physician about pneumonia symptoms. The humor derives from his exaggerated anxiety contrasting with the doctor's dismissive pragmatism. Key satirical points: 1. **The patient's neurosis**: Ruffles obsesses over minor symptoms, imagining catastrophic illness despite the doctor's reassurance. 2. **Medical condescension**: The physician treats him dismissively, prescribing simple remedies (pills and rest) rather than engaging seriously. 3. **Class/gender observation**: The text notes how anxious women patients appear healthier than hypochondriac men. 4. **Social commentary**: The cartoons illustrate the absurdity of excessive health anxiety—a timeless satirical target mocking those who transform minor ailments into existential crises. The accompanying hotel cartoon provides comic relief through unrelated wordplay.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE: Time Tables The Visit to the Doctor Q, 00-8:05—Mr. Ruffles, finishing breakfast, reads item oO: about prominent citizen dying of pneumonia. Re- members that he awoke with cold. Essays a cough. Registers mixed gratification and alarm at his success. Looks at watch and decides to stop in at doctor’s before going to office. 30-8 :40—Enters doctor's office and is ushered into recep- tion room where two other patients are waiting. Won- ders what is the matter with the fat one in black. Is sure it is nothing serious. Slightly embarrassed as she sees him looking at her. Decides it must be overeating. Wonders whether his cough is better. Clears his throat and is disappointed that it sounds no worse. 45—Decides to read something. Reaches for magazine on table just as woman on the other side does the same. Hastily withdraws into his chair and watches her as she takes the one he wished. Mentally notes that pretty women must be the healthiest. Never sees them in a doctor’s office. 46—Draws deep breath and is charmed at the manner in which his lungs squeak. Is sure the doctor will be impressed. Reaches towards table again and gets maga- zine. Finds it is two months old and returns it. Coughs. 8:47—Gives a start when his name is spoken by attendant. “NOW WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE NICE BIG CHEE Is guiltily conscious of indignant glances from the two “PAPA’S A GLASS BLOWER.” women patients as he is ushered into doctor's room. Tries not to appear too brisk when he shakes hands with the physician, Endeavors to cough but his cold seems to have left him. 8:48—Doctor asks him what the trouble seems to be. Vainly attempts to remember what his alarming symp- toms of the earlier morning were. Requests doctor to listen to his chest and hear how it squeal 8:49—Doctor asks, “Is that all?” Mr. Ruffles feels an- noyed at the hint he is not in a dangerous condition but can think of nothing to add to what he has already said. 8:50—Doctor remarks genially, “Oh, you're all right, I guess. Just take one of these pills after each meal and cut out smoking.” —Mr. Ruffles, after he has left, recalls symptoms which had escaped his memory. Decides to consult a better physician. Takes two pills, lights a cigar and hurries to his office. Tracy Hammond Lewis. Old Friends Are Passing O E by one, they're passing on without me, These comrades of my youth; they leave me here, Forlorn and lonely, trying to fight on Without their kindly help and comfort dear. One by one, like autumn leaves, they’re falling, As back unto their Maker they are called; Late Guest (in hotel): THASH FUNNY. 1 ORDERED A Unless God wills that they shall cease their going, SINGLE ROOM AND THEY GIVE ME A DOUBLE. Within another year I shall be bald. G. E. B. comicbooks.com