‘Robert Cruikshanks Random Shots (No2) A Cholera Patient’, 1786-1856

Mounted woodcut entitled ‘ROBERT CRUIKSHANKS RANDOM SHOTS. – (NO.2) A CHOLERA PATIENT.’ drawn by Isaac Robert Cruikshank, engraved by “G W”, and published by Tomlinson.

In this caricature a worried and emaciated man dressed in rags sits on a stool marked “Starvation” next to a trestle resting on bones labelled “Board on Health”, he holds a massive pill in his left hand, his right elbow rests on a box “Blue Pills” on the table.

Also, on the table is a large, anthropomorphic-medicine bottle with claw-like hands marked “Emetic”, with a label “The dose to be repeated”, around which dance a ring of tiny devils. Below the table squats a skull -headed bird bearing the words “Fee Fo Fum”.