The Wasp — 1896 — page 717: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is **not a political cartoon**. It's a promotional article about Napa Soda Springs, a California health resort and spa. The text describes the springs as a premier destination for treating chronic diseases and general wellness, endorsed by San Francisco physicians. The image shows an idealized engraving of the resort's grounds—white stone buildings nestled in hills, surrounded by landscaping, gardens, and water features. The article emphasizes the location's natural advantages: temperature, altitude, pure air, and mineral water properties. It highlights recreational amenities (tennis, croquet, swings) and architectural comfort for wealthy patients seeking health treatments. This represents **19th-century medical tourism marketing**, promoting mineral springs as cure-all resorts for affluent Americans—a common commercial practice before modern medicine.