The Wasp — 1887 — page 409: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The cartoon depicts a male patient attempting to deceive a female physician about his health condition. The humor relies on period gender assumptions: the man assumes he can manipulate or charm a woman doctor, while she proves shrewd and capable. The accompanying story elaborates this dynamic—the patient tries various excuses and flattery to avoid her prescribed treatment, but the doctor remains professional and unmoved by his attempts at deception. This satirizes both male overconfidence in their ability to manipulate women and, conversely, celebrates the competence and no-nonsense authority of female medical professionals. The piece gently mocks outdated gender expectations during an era when women physicians were still relatively uncommon and often underestimated.