Patton State Hospital, San Bernardino, California: a staff member offers a cigarette to a patient. Drawing by D.R. Wilder, ca. 1954.

[1954?]

1 drawing : pencil ; sheet 30 x 23 cm

While others never forget the golden rule? The staff member says "Smoke, buddy?" while offering a packet of Camel cigarettes. The patient, who is holding a bucket of water, says "Haw haw"

One drawing of twelve in a sketchbook inscribed "Dudley R. Wilder". There is a record of a Dudley Raymond Wilder (1916-1957) who worked as a commercial artist in California from the 1930s to the 1950s and served as a staff sergeant in the US Marine Corps in 1943-1944. The quality of the drawings, and some of the military references, suggest they could well be by him, possibly in the last years of his life where confinement preceded an early death at the age of 41

Wellcome Collection 2046871i