Puck — April 9, 1879 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains satirical illustrations addressing **child labor and product safety** in late 19th/early 20th-century America. **"Cheap Employment"** (top left) depicts children working in exploitative conditions—a social reform issue Puck frequently highlighted. **"Snoozing Syrup"** (top right) shows an infant being drugged, likely satirizing patent medicines and syrups marketed to children that contained dangerous substances like opium or laudanum. **"The Wrong Bottle"** (center) appears to reference accidental poisoning—a recurring hazard when toxic substances weren't properly labeled. **"Murder"** (bottom) presents a street scene suggesting neglect or violence toward children. Collectively, these cartoons critique inadequate worker protections, dangerous consumer products, and child welfare failures, using dark humor typical of Puck's muckraking approach to social issues.