The Wasp — July 31, 1880 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two satirical cartoons titled "A Sickly Lot" and "Carrion." **"A Sickly Lot"** depicts a hospital ward where patients in beds are labeled with what appear to be corporate or institutional names (text is largely illegible). The beds contain figures with animal heads—demons or devils—suggesting corruption or moral sickness within these organizations. The satire mocks these institutions as fundamentally corrupt rather than merely troubled. **"Carrion"** shows a corpse surrounded by vultures and carrion birds, likely representing scavengers profiting from death or financial collapse. Together, these cartoons appear to critique institutional corruption and those who exploit economic or social disaster. Without clearer text visibility, the specific targets remain unclear, though the imagery suggests *The Wasp* was attacking both corrupt institutions and those who benefit from their failures.