Judge, 1928-12-22 · page 17 of 36
Judge — December 22, 1928 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous pseudoscientific article attributed to "Dr. Theophrastus Seuss" (likely a playful pen name) satirizing early 20th-century medical and self-help fads. The piece mocks pseudoscientific theories about emotions and body parts by inventing fake anatomical concepts—"Gumption," "Dander," and "Ardour"—and presenting ridiculous "treatments" as serious medical advice. The cartoons illustrate absurd remedies: stirring the Gumption vigorously, and dampening one's Ardour through mysterious "expert" interventions. The satire targets contemporary trends toward medicalizing everyday emotional problems and the era's frank discussion of previously taboo subjects like female desire ("Ardour"). The joke relies on treating invented medical nonsense with deadpan seriousness, poking fun at how readily people accept dubious health claims.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE Our Emotional Apparati and How They are Controlled The Spleen, the Ardour, the Gumption and the Dander all demand as much attention as the Teeth and the Nails By Dr. Theophrastus Seuss The Care of the Gumption One part of the human equipment that should never be slighted is the Gumption. To cure one of chronic laziness and sloth, stir the Gumption vigorously on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of every month. Where Is the Dander, and How to Get It Up? There are two divergent schools of thought concerning the Dander, each claiming that it is situated in a different locality. Hence, when you want to get your Dander Up, you must employ two doubtful methods alternately. (Note—The same confusion exists in regards to the Ire, which may be roused much in the same fashion.) The World Now Ardour-Conscious A few years ago, no lady could mention her Ardour without a blush. Today, happily, people are more frank. They have their Ardours dampened regularly by experts, and discuss the treatment after- wards without the least embarrassment. comicbooks.com