Cartoons from Mr Punch Among The Doctors

 

Here are a few cartoons from Mr Punch Among The Doctors, a 1933 hardcover collection of cartoons from the British comic magazine Punch (1841 - 2002). It was named after the "Punch" puppet character from the "Punch and Judy" puppet shows. That's himself, Mr. Punch, in the center of the cover. 

 

The book was first published on September 21st, 1933, and sales exceeded its print tun. A second edition came out before the end of the year.  The volume includes cartoons up to 1932.

These early 19th century cartoons (Fun fact: Punch magazine is credited with inventing the name "cartoon.") are highly illustrative, as was the style of the time, and read more like an exchange from a stage play than today's magazine cartoons. The topics are still timely. Artist credits are not existent.  I mean, you can see the signature, but there's no typeset acknowledgment or an index by artist's name.

 

1846: Not being able to understand medical-speak. 

 

 

 

Having to work while sick. 

 

 

 

 1869 - High medical bills.

 

 

 1858 - The need for physical education. And here's a rare appearance of word balloons!

 

 

 1859 - Time management. I like the below explanation of the breakaway view.

 

 

 1874 - Maintaining a steady income stream.

 1849 - The availability of harmful drugs OTC!

 

 

 1861 - OK, this one made me laugh.

 

 

 1863 - Mental or physical malady?

 

 

 1874 - Dialect humor so thick that I cannot make out the gag.

 

 

 1873 - Evolutionary theory debunked.

 

 

1865 - Here's a good example of what I was talking about. There are four lines of dialogue and a description in the text as to who these fellows are. The gag eludes me. 

 

 

 1865 - Female doctors.

 

 

 1879 - Again, dialect humor, and again; picking on the lower classes. The snob vs. slob humor was a staple at Punch.

 

 

 1869 - A lovely woman sways the doctor's medical prescription.

 

 

1869 - Dealing with depression.

 

 

 1880 - The abuse of the privilege of voting.

 

 

 1873 - Vaccination and the class system.

 

 

1870 - Female doctors -- and -- HA HA HA HA -- male nurses. 

 

Related:


From the Dick Buchanan Files: Puck Magazine Cartoons 1879 - 1890


Rodolphe Töpffer: “The True Story of Monsieur Crépin" 1837