The Wasp — 1879 — page 156: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* satirical magazine contains two main illustrations accompanying an essay about barbers and barbering. The **upper cartoon** depicts a barber bloodletting a patient—a common medical practice of the era. The satire criticizes barbers as incompetent pseudo-doctors who performed dangerous procedures beyond their expertise. The **lower illustration** shows a barber shop scene, likely mocking typical barbering practices and clientele. The **accompanying text** is a lengthy commentary on barbers' pretensions to medical knowledge and their role in society. It argues barbers overstepped their professional bounds, positioning themselves as healers when they were merely tradesmen. The piece satirizes both the barbers' ambitions and society's acceptance of their medical interventions, portraying this as evidence of civilizational decline or foolishness.