The Encyclopedia of Death and Dying

Until recent times medical science could do little to prevent or cure life-threatening diseases that claimed young lives and made infant mortality commonplace. But today those 85 and over form the most rapidly growing percentage of the population. While death from infectious diseases has been widely controlled, only two of the current top 10 causes of death lead to a quick demise - the other eight causes involve diseases or conditions associated with a slow onset and extended decline. For these