Moral Judgment in Evaluating Disease: Some Pictures for Discussion

Le malade imaginaire. “Je suis perdu...”

Le malade imaginaire. “Je suis perdu...”, 1833, Charles Ramelet, French, 1805-51, after Honoré Daumier, French, 1808-79, from the series L'imagination. No.10

This 45 year old man presents with abdominal pain. 3 days ago, he experienced sudden onset of epigastric pain that has slowly developed into a steady, boring pain that does not radiate. Pain is 4/10 and improves with sitting up. He denies smoking or illicit drug use; however, he claims he drinks “a fair amount” on the weekends.

Faced with the threat of imprisonment for political transgressions, French artist Honoré Daumier instead opted to check into an insane asylum. While there, he completed several caricatures that received such popular acclaim that they were later issued in book form with color. Here, he focuses on the trope of the hypochondriac, seeking to portray its absurdity humorously.