A doctor failing to hold death at bay from his patient; represented by a group of skeletal death figures one of whom is grabbing the doctor by the throat; the terrified patient looks on from the bed. Etching after S. Collings, ca. 1803.

Same lettering and same composition, but in reverse direction, as an aquatint by F. Jukes after S. Collings, published in London by R. Pollard, 1 February 1803 (not found in British Museum Catalogue of political and personal satires, London 1870-1954)

Skeletons lying on the ground represent causes of death defeated by the physician: they are inscribed "Cold" and "Vapours", and his weapon is a drug-handbill headed "Preserver". More skeletons (representing causes of death) invade the room, however, and overcome the physician: they represent (from left to right) apoplexy ("Apoplexy" inscribed on banner); indulgence ("Luxury" inscribed on banner); fever ("Fever" on headband around skull); mania ("Mania" inscribed on flag); lovesickness ("L'amour. Omnia vincit amor" inscribed on banner); and despair ("Despair" on banner)

1803

1 print : etching ; image and border 17.1 x 20.9 cm

Death too many for the doctor

Wellcome Collection 586040i