Object Details
maker
Anonymous
Description (Brief)
A cartoon depicting a dragon clutching a number of men in its arms. There are about 11 men in the dragons arms and one hanging on to its tail. The dragon and the men are 'spewing' German words from their mouths. There are also words printed on the dragons wings and tail. The print is hand colored with watercolors. The background is a green circle filled with goats behind the dragon. The dragon is a yellowish green with a red mouth.
The men in the print are doctors and the words written on the print are different "cures" for cholera. They include 'vinaigre de qualre volcurs' (four thieves vinegar which was thought to ward of plague), 'pulvis doveri' (an opium mixture that is a diuretic) and kajaputöl (cajuput oil which is an anti-septic). The title of the print, die mondsuchtigen, means 'the moonstruck people' (or crazy people).
Description
Satirical image of moonstruck charlatans offering quacks cures for cholera, probably created at the time of the cholera epidemic of 1831-1832. The inscription reads “DIE MONDSÜCHTIGEN / oder / allerneuste Gespensterfurcht ver der so gräfslich genannten / aber schon seit Jahrtausenden bekannten—Cholera.” This print has been hand colored.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
date made
about 1831
ID Number
1991.0664.0062
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06276
collector/donor number
SAP 968
Object Name
print
Other Terms
print; ART OBJECTS
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
watercolor (overall material)
white (overall color)
black (overall color)
blue (overall color)
red (overall color)
green (overall color)
brown (overall color)
engraving (overall production method/technique)
Measurements
overall: 28.3 cm x 21.5 cm; 11 1/8 in x 8 7/16 in
Related Publication
Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Medicine
Health & Medicine
European Apothecary
Religion
Art
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Public Health
Ophthalmology
Pharmacy
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_994026