Life — February 6, 1931 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Get the Facts" - Metropolitan Life Insurance Advertisement This is a **health education advertisement**, not political satire. The illustration shows two men in business attire discussing blood pressure measurement—one appearing to explain the instrument to the other, likely a doctor and patient. The text warns readers about faulty blood pressure caused by infections, overweight, overwork, stress, and emotional states (worry, fear, anger, hate). It emphasizes that blood pressure fluctuates normally but can dangerously accumulate over time without obvious symptoms, requiring regular medical monitoring. The advertisement promotes Metropolitan Life Insurance's free booklet "Give Your Heart a Chance" (Booklet 331-F) as health education, positioning insurance companies as public health advocates—a common early 20th-century corporate strategy linking life insurance to preventive medicine awareness.