From: American Medical News, November 21,1986
Sample cause-of-death reports from early 1800s in Missouri;
``Went to bed feeling well, but woke up dead.''
``Died suddenly, nothing serious''
``Cause of death unknown; had never been fatally ill before.''
``Don't know; died without the aid of a physician.''
``death caused by blow on the head with an ax. Contributory
cause, another man's wife.''