The doctor's office of the 1930s was quite different from that at the turn of the century. After 1910, the doctor's office changed drastically, which is most commonly linked to the result of the practice of asepsis (the prevention of infection by maintaining sterile conditions) and full understanding of the germ theory of disease. Now, it was essential to have an office that could be kept clean and germ free, which is reflected in the appearance of the office. The furniture of the 1930s was typically made of metal with white enamel coating. Other appliances were also white, however, white walls were considered "cold" and "cheerless." During this period color was believed to have a powerful impact on mental state; therefore, yellows and greens were used most frequently because they were considered the most cheerful and tranquil. Offices floors were typically black and white inlaid linoleum with a marbleized effect (as seen here) because it was light and clean.

Whether in a private residence or more commonly in a downtown building, the doctor's offices of the 1930s were extremely well planned. The new complex consisted of a reception room, private office and consulting room, a dressing room, a business office, rooms for physical therapy treatments, and an examining room (seen here). The contents of the examining room are: stool, examining table, floor lamp, instrument cabinet, scale, sink, and waste receptacle. A specialist's chair and specialist's cabinet, used for EENT (eyes, ears, nose, and throat) examinations, testifies to the rise of specialties during this time. An electric sterilizer for cleaning instruments also appears, which attests to the new understanding of the germ theory. The anatomical chart takes the place of the skull in the turn-of-the-century office. While the doctor's office of the late 1930s still seems somewhat remote to us, it is more identifiable with the modern doctor's offices of today.