Spanish Prime Minister Antonio Cánovas del Castillo: “May I know the reason for your visit?”
Cholera: “You will see; it is a matter of amour-propre. I came to prove to you that I don’t let you run my hand over your face.”
(La Campana de Gracia, Barcelona, 1884) (Surely I don’t have the idiom quite right.)
An example of the Catalan “auca” genre devoted to cholera, one I won’t pretend to translate…
(La Campana de Gracia, Barcelona, 1884)
“Poor cholera, it keeps such bad company!”
(La Campana de Gracia, Barcelona, 1883)
Against cholera, cleaning up.
(La Campana de Gracia, Barcelona, 1883)
“Is the man of the house at home?”
“He’s at home, but he’s busy. He’s reading a book about cholera.”
“And the lady?”
“She’s reading another book about cholera.”
“And mademoiselle?”
“I’m off to the bookstore to buy myself a book about cholera…”
(Mucha, Warsaw, 1892)
“What did that lady want?”
“She arranged for an anti-cholera waistband.”
“What is that?”
“Well, she ordered three brochures on anti-cholera measures sewn into the fabric…”
(Mucha, Warsaw, 1892)
“Mr. Settler, aren’t you afraid to plant and eat so much cabbage when there is cholera?”
“What do I have to fear, after all cholera is not in the cabbage, but in the stomach…”
(Mucha, Warsaw, 1892)
“Well, my children, I explained to you how to live carefully so as not to be subject to the cholera epidemic. I showed you what disinfection, hygiene, diet, and so on are. Gapski, tell me who the cholera will never take?”
“Bismarck, sir…”
(Mucha, Warsaw, 1892)
A multi-panel cartoon by Karel Stroff from Humoristické listy (Prague, 1910)
I must visit humanity again. It seems to have become too wanton. They will come after me with disinfectants, but I’m not afraid of that, it no longer applies to me.
Pardon me, I am a representative of the “Chiseler”* scythe factory. We have excellent, proven wares of great quality, please give it a test. We have fifty first-prize awards, thousands of commendations, we deliver to all parts of the world under the most advantageous payment terms and —
*(very loosely; no bonus for noticing the ethnic stereotype employed)
That was a terrible man! He spoke to me as if I was completely stupid!
Zounds! What kind of diabolical invention is this? There has never been such a thing…
That cost me dearly! My ears are buzzing, my head is splitting…
But I will not give up and I will bravely go on — What kind of monster is going over there?
Achoo! Achoo! Ugh, taxi. Yuck, yuck, yuck…!
And the crows fell upon his tortured body…
Leo Tolstoy: “Unfortunately I was not reposed to receive guests…”
Madame Cholera: “I’m use to entering without notice.”
(Nebelspalter, Zurich, 1908)
This may be the weirdest cartoon in the entire collection, yet once you know about the intestinal agonies experienced by cholera victims, the child’s observation somehow seems very relatable.
Carnival poster: See her live! The lady with no lower abdomen.
Little boy: “Boda, she must have it good now.”
“Why, foolish boy?”
“Well, at least she doesn’t have to be afraid of any cholera.”
(Kikeriki, Vienna, 1892)
There is no cholera, there is no revolution, but in the meantime, the people who go out do not return, and there is no need to.
(La Esquella de la torratxa, Barcelona, 1911) (The idiom wants improvement.)
From La Esquella de la torratxa, Barcelona, 1912.
Before binging on tomatoes and vegetables, think about how much better prawns are.
Try not to leaf through the Barcelona newspapers.
If you feel a shiver like this from the intense cold… run to the doctor tomorrow!
As you go sweating through the streets, do not leave the shade for nothing… or leave money to anyone.
If you feel the vomit coming, don’t be frightened, for in the pulpits they also vomit to renounce.
Flee from reckless views, suggestive sensations, and overly ardent impressions.
When you feel very hot, before you drink water… think about how much better wine is.
If you feel a pestilent breath… (a nail pulls out another nail) go to the City Hall!
And, if you find yourself exhausted… remember that Firmly Rooted (Catalan novel) has been there three times already.
Dr. Koch: “Well, Uncle Morbus, I’ve cooked it down with this little decoction.”
Cholera Morbus: “Nothing to it, Doc! It’s a heated little war — and within a day I’ll get back what you deprived me of.”
(Borsszem Jankó, Budapest, 1890)
Wow, Sr. Manuel! I would also relax in my rocking chair if I was in France, giving grand advice about cholera!
(La Esquella de la torratxa, Barcelona, 1885)
And us here, between the sun that melts us and the cholera that surrounds us.
Sic Transit Pestilentia 