Life, 1928-02-16 · page 5 of 38
Life — February 16, 1928 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Listerine advertisement** disguised as health advice. The page warns readers about sore throats from working in "stuffy quarters" and crowded conditions—likely referencing post-WWI urban/industrial environments. The advertisement promotes Listerine as an antiseptic mouthwash that kills bacteria causing throat infections. The accompanying illustration shows a well-dressed couple—the man appears concerned while observing the woman, suggesting Listerine prevents social embarrassment from illness or halitosis. The satirical angle is subtle: the page frames disease prevention as a social/moral obligation. A callout box promotes Listerine toothpaste, claiming it prevents diseases affecting "more than 50 diseases." This is classic early-20th-century medical advertising hyperbole, conflating hygiene products with disease prevention to drive consumer anxiety and sales.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Sore throat while you wait Working in stuffy quarters, sleeping in over-heated homes, mingling with crowds and using appliances that others constant- ly use, people run an almost constant risk of a cold or sore throat—or worse. At the first sign of either, use Listerine, the safe antiseptic, full strength. Gargle with it repeat- edly. Rinse your mouth with it. Employ it occasionally as a nasal douche. THE NEXT TIME! The next time you buya dentifrice ask for Lister- ine Tooth Pasteat 25c the large tube. It has halved the tooth paste bill of more than two mil- lion people. This simple precaution may be the means of sparing you a trying—and possibly—a costly and painful siege of illness. In thousands of homes it has checked colds and sore throats before they had a chance to be- come serious. Being antiseptic, Listerine im- mediately attacks the countless disease-producing bacteria that lodge in the nose, mouth and throat waiting until body re- sistance is low to strike. Remember that while you are thus helping Nature ward off disease, you are also putting yourself on the polite side so- cially, for Listerine, as you know, ends halitosis (unpleas- ant breath). Lambert Pharma- cal Company, St. Louis, Mo., U.S. A. Do something about it ~~~ More than 50 diseases have their beginning or yield to an antiseptic. Others, more serious, do not. At the first sign of an irritated throat, gargle frequently with Listerine, and if no improvement ‘is shown, consult a physician. LISTERINE -the safe antiseptic . comicbooks.com