The Wasp — 1890 — page 18: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains primarily **academic and advertising content** rather than political satire. The main article is a medical paper titled "Ninth International Medical Congress," presented by Dr. A.L.A. Toboldt, discussing mineral water treatments—specifically Carlsbad Springs water and Carlsbad Sprüdel Salt. The central illustration shows a **rotund gentleman in formal dress** (likely representing a patient or doctor) surrounded by other figures, appearing to depict the social context of spa treatment culture. The satire appears gentle: the overweight figure may humorously represent someone seeking health cures through mineral waters and salt treatments—a popular but sometimes dubious medical practice of the era. The page concludes with **advertisements** for Carlsbad products, sold by Redington & Co. in San Francisco.