Swallowing a pill [graphic]

"An ugly elderly man, emaciated but paunchy, stands in profile to the left, head thrown back, in the effort to swallow. His right fingers are crisped as he throws over his left shoulder the contents of a tumbler. He wears night-cap, dressing-gown, and slippers, with unbuttoned garments and stockings festooning his legs. He faces a smouldering fire. The small chimney-piece is covered with medicine-bottles; above it hangs a cracked mirror. A torn hearth-rug, minute tripod washstand with broken jug, and a truckle-bed in disorder heighten the picture of sordid discomfort, but the impression is conveyed that this is due to feckless neglect rather than poverty. Under the bed a mouse scampers off. Beside it is a candle covered with extinguisher."--British Museum online catalogue