Caricature showing a publican's dilemma during a cholera epidemic, Europe, c. 1854

Print. lithograph, some col, caricaturing precautions in a cholera epidemic [c1840-1865]. 1. 'Fearing the spread of the cholera' (gin drinkers beware, publican's dilemma), image 10x7cm edged to 12x9cm. Framed with /2 and /3, 52x21x2cm

Drawn in 1854, during the third major British cholera pandemic of the 1800s, this caricature shows a publican worrying how the disease will affect his business. The paper in his hand reads “Gin drinkers beware”. The caricature is one of a set of three based on the fear of cholera, preventing and treating cholera (showing a physician), and an undertaker hoping for cholera. Cholera is a bacterial infection of the small intestine causing severe diarrhoea and vomiting. The disease is now known to be spread through infected water supplies.