Sickles was a well-respected cartoonist and illustrator known primarily for his tenure on the strip "Scorch Smith," which was about a Charles Lindburgh-like aviator. He's recognized as an innovator as far as the design and layout of his strips, influencing people like Milton Caniff ("Terry and the Pirates" and "Steve Canyon") and Alex Toth. This particular ad was one that Sickles did with Caniff, with whom he shared a studio at the time.
While I understand that the state of pyschoanalysis was not as advanced as it is today, I would hope that a doctor would be able recognize that Peter is suffering from a major mental illness and not "coffee nerves." Is that even in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"?
In the first panel, he's projecting hidden aggression and is hearing voices, i.e., "Mr. Coffee Nerves." These same voices in the second panel incite him to physical violence. By the third and fourth panel, he's consumed with paranoia against his wife. She mentions other symptoms, headaches and sleeplessness. If Peter goes untreated, who knows what tragedy will occur?
Fortunately, Postum appears to be some form of antipsychotic, perhaps an early version of Thorazine. It's a good thing that Peter's condition can be treated pharmaceutically. Hopefully, he'll receive some sort of therapy while he's using Postum. Joining the country club is another positive step, helping with his socialization and providing plenty of exercise and fresh air.
According to the title "Peter Joins the Club and Mr. Coffee Nerves is Black Balled!" This clearly reenforces the message: "proper treatment leads to a positive outcome." Of course, this is the 1930s, maybe Mr. Coffee Nerves was black balled because the country club is restricted?
