The Wasp — 1896 — page 290: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is **primarily advertising** for patent medicines and medical services typical of 1890s San Francisco. The two illustrations are likely **satirical cartoons** rather than news commentary: 1. **"At the Police Station"** depicts an interrogation scene with dialogue about a June marriage and December relationship—likely satirizing hypocritical morality or the gap between public propriety and private conduct. 2. **"Deluded"** shows a woman examining herself, captioned about enhancing charms and changing one's face—possibly mocking vanity, cosmetics culture, or women's beauty standards of the era. The advertisements promote "Electropoise" (oxygen therapy), various medicinal tonics, and women's health services, reflecting period medical quackery. The satirical content is minimal; the page functions primarily as a commercial vehicle for dubious medical claims.