Monday PSA: Dennis the Menace Takes a Poke at Poison

April 27th, 2009

Filed under: Comics, Medicine

cover, Dennis the Menace Takes a Poke at PoisonDennis the Menace Takes a Poke at Poison was published in 1961 by the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (which split in 1979 to form the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services). In a mere sixteen pages, Dennis and the rest of the Mitchell family cover a variety of poison-related topics, including — but not limited to — children’s medicine, pet medicine, spoiled lunchmeat, toxic wild berries, bug bombs, and weed killers.

Dennis the MenaceDennis learns not to give human medications to dogs, not to take medication without his parent’s approval, not to eat wild fruits and berries, and to be careful when using insecticides and herbicides.
Dennis the MenaceMr. Wilson learns that Dennis is a threat to society and danger to his very life (though I suspect he already knew that).
Dennis the MenaceSadly, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell don’t seem to learn much and continue with their pattern of irresponsible parenting.
Dennis the MenaceRuff learns nothing, because, frankly, he’s a dog.

Dennis the Menace

Dennis the Menace Takes a Poke at Poison’s greatest hits:

scene from Dennis the Menace Takes a Poke at Poison scene from Dennis the Menace Takes a Poke at Poison
scene from Dennis the Menace Takes a Poke at Poison scene from Dennis the Menace Takes a Poke at Poison

A revised version of the comic was published in 1981, but I only have a copy of the original.

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2 Responses to “ Monday PSA: Dennis the Menace Takes a Poke at Poison ”

  1. Sarah
    April 29th, 2009 at 7:04 am

    Wait, was there a panel prior to the first one where Dennis did>/i> refer to pills as “candy?” If not, his father’s response is a total non-sequitor:

    “The dog is sick – is there anything in the house we can treat him with?”

    “What – did you just call pills ‘candy?’ Are you on the dope, son?”

  2. JP
    May 3rd, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    @Sarah: Yes, there was.

    Dennis: “Ruff’s been scratchin’ his ear like he’s got a EARACHE. I was gonna give him some MEDICINE!”
    Dad: “And just what KIND of medicine were you going to give him, DOCTOR Dennis?”
    Dennis: “I dunno, Dad. I think maybe a pink pill. That’s a pretty color… just like candy!”

    You can read the comic here: http://www.ep.tc/problems/two/04.html

    I also loved the part where dad tells Dennis: “People don’t just take ANY medicine when they’re sick. A DOCTOR tells them what medicine to take by giving a PRESCRIPTION.” And then just puts flea powder on Ruff for “a earache” (most likely otitis externa, which fleas don´t cause), without going to a vet.

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