This young, unnamed child is depicted during stages of an operation to straighten and realign her neck.
The sketch of her neck before the operation shows the condition, which must have been very uncomfortable. By the end of the operation the child’s neck is greatly improved. This would have raised the quality of life considerably.
This series of illustrations show us some of William Kirwan’s process as an artist. The two pencil sketches were probably completed in the hospital from life, with the final illustrations being completed later.