A complete issue · 28 pages · 1917
Judge — December 15, 1917
# "The Badge of Womanhood" This December 1917 *Judge* cover satirizes women's wartime nursing service during World War I. The image shows a woman wearing a Red Cross badge—the distinctive cross visible on her chest—draped in fur stole and fashionable attire. The title "The Badge of Womanhood" appears ironic or critical. The satire likely mocks women who wore Red Cross insignia as a fashion statement or social status symbol rather than engaging in genuine nursing work. By pairing the sacred medical badge with conspicuous luxury items (fur, jewelry, makeup), the cartoon suggests these women adopted wartime volunteer identity superficially—performing patriotism as a trend rather than making real sacrifice. This reflects contemporary debates about women's actual versus performative contributions to the war effort.
# Analysis This is **not a cartoon or satire page** — it's a straightforward **product advertisement** for Nujol, a mineral oil laxative manufactured by Standard Oil Company (New Jersey). The ad uses common early-20th-century marketing rhetoric, claiming the product gently cleanses the system and relieves constipation without "upsetting" the body. The tagline "Regular as Clockwork" (shown with an actual clock in the illustration) promises reliable bowel regularity. The phrase "Don't Wish for Health—Get It—and Keep It" reflects period health messaging emphasizing personal responsibility and prevention. There is no political satire or caricature present — this is a straightforward medicinal advertisement typical of Judge magazine's revenue model.
# Political Cartoon Analysis This WWI-era cartoon depicts Santa Claus as a patriotic fundraiser for the war effort. The image uses the beloved Christmas figure to appeal to Americans' generosity and patriotism by asking them to donate cigars instead of Christmas gifts. The text reads: "HELP END THE WAR / DROP YOUR XMAS CIGARS IN HERE / WE WILL SEND THEM TO THE GERMANS" The satire is darkly ironic: Santa ostensibly collects cigars to "send to the Germans," but the actual message is that Americans should sacrifice their Christmas luxuries to support the war effort against Germany. It's propaganda disguised as holiday goodwill—using Santa's authority and the season's charitable spirit to encourage wartime sacrifice and resource conservation for American troops.
