Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. List of Illustrations x
4. Foreword xii
5. Acknowledgements xiii
6. Medical Glossary xv
7. Introduction 1
8. 1 The Frailty of Youth 7
9. 2 A Triumphant Old Age 43
10. 3 Iatrogenic Afflictions 67
11. 4 Syphilis 97
12. 5 Alcoholism 125
13. 6 Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and Suicide 143
14. 7 Nerves Beyond the Edge: Other Afflictions of the Nervous System 187
15. 8 Broken Hearts 219
16. 9 Breathless: Respiratory Diseases 257
17. 10 Cancer 285
18. 11 The Ultimate Blow: Deafness 321
19. Epilogue and Coda 351
20. Appendix: Accidental and/or Violent Deaths 363
21. References 366
22. Bibliography 439
23. Index 465