Martin's Bill in operation [graphic]Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878, printmaker1824.eng"Three men sit at a table absorbed in an oyster feast, while Richard Martin ..., sensing cruelty to oysters, enters, followed by a constable with his staff (left). Papers hang from his pocket: M . . . . s Bill to prevent Cruelty to Animals, and a book projects: Gullivers Travels--A Voyage to . . . Ho[uyhnhnms]. Martin points imperiously to the table, the constable makes a wry face. A lean elderly man ... sits with his back to the door on a piano-stool on which are sheets of music. At his feet is a paper: The Oyster crossed in Love as sung by Messs Sinclair & Gamon at Covent Garden O gentle Swain yr Knife [refrain] Nor Wound a Heart so soft as mine. Dr E----y, wearing tartan, stands over a tub of Natives, opening oysters. The third man's face is concealed. On the table, besides oyster-shells, &c, are a candle burnt low and a large jug of Hot Milk. The walls are covered with shelves. On one set (left), inscribed Larder of Death, are druggist's jars, &c. These include Opium, Oxalic Acid, Calomel, with a box of Gamboge. The other, inscribed Good Living, are laden with food: a pie, a chain of sausages, a sirloin, jar of Cherry Bounce, round of beef, a Scots Haggis, a hare, a bird. There is also (left) a high shelf of books."--British Museum online catalogue, description of a different state or versionTitle etched below image.Different state or version, with variations in the text below image, of a plate to No. VI of The family oracle of health, economy, medicine, and goodliving (London : Walker [etc.], 1824-1829). Cf. No. 14696 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 10.Three of the figures are identified with etched text beneath lower border of image: [left to right] Martin; Dr. Kitchener; Dr. E-y.Cf. Cohn, A.M. George Cruikshank: a catalogue raisonné, 301.Cf. Reid, G.W. A descriptive catalogue of the works of George Cruikshank, 1265, 5259.Temporary local Medical Library subject terms: Dr. Eady.