An old woman of repulsive and disreputable appearance sits full-face surrounded by quack doctors. Her cap is inscribed 'Rep: Bat' (Batavian Republic), her petticoat is decorated with the seven [The artist has arranged the arrows in groups of five, not seven] arrows of the United Provinces. Her feet are in a tub of water. One doctor (left) holds her arm, the blood from which gushes into a bowl on her lap. Another (right) applies a cupping-glass to her left shoulder. A man (right) stands primly in profile to the left holding his cane; from his pocket protrudes a book: 'Traité sur la Reconaissance'. (He is 'Citoyen L' who owes everything to the ex-Stadholder.) Two military officers also watch the treatment, one (left) has a clyster-pipe under his arm. Standing behind, and on a higher level, is the zany (cf. BMSat 6398, &amp;c), holding up a club wreathed with a serpent in his right hand, a bottle inscribed 'Tinct. Univer.' in the left. On the ground is a prescription inscribed 'R. P M: Mere' [i.e. Merc]. Text, 'Jeremiah', li. 9. 
<p><br>The delicate constitution of the Republic has suffered from 'laccolade des frêres liberateurs'. After being bled and cupped a few grains of mercury will restore her charms. 1796
</p>
<br>Etching printed in red
<div class="fn value">
<p>Print made by: James Gillray (?)
</p>
<dl><dd>After: David Hess</dd></dl></div>
1796<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1796-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1851-0901-1325">https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1851-0901-1325</a>