"The cough ... stone dust" by Noel CounihanAccording to the page where I found this image, this 1947 linocut represents the faith of a coal miner dying of silicosis, a disease which proggresively destroys the lungs.
A small cough of sickness is an idea which describes the very early and distinctive cough of heavy-smokers. What my father calls 'dog-cough'. That cough which is different from others. The sound of exhausted and sick lungs. The clear cries for help from deep inside.
People should pay attention to the small cough of sickness. The message is clear: "keep smoking and you'll die". We all will die: many people would say. As you wish: warns the small cough of sickness... again.
