Life — May 21, 1925 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a satirical illustration titled "In Ye Goode Olde Dayes / Attacking Ye First Cootie." The cartoon depicts a fantastical medieval or historical scene with elaborate towers and armed figures attacking what appears to be giant insects or "cooties" (lice). "Cootie" was period slang for body lice, a widespread problem among soldiers during World War I. The satire appears to mock both the difficulty of combating this persistent pest and perhaps the military's grandiose but ineffective responses to it. The elaborate medieval warfare setup—with its ornate structures and numerous armed soldiers—humorously contrasts with the trivial nature of fighting microscopic parasites. The "olde dayes" framing suggests nostalgia for supposedly simpler times, while the reality depicted shows chaos and struggle. This likely resonated with readers familiar with soldiers' complaints about lice infestations.