Special Sub-Topic: An Anthology of Death Click Here To Play: An Anthology of Death

An aortic dissection occurs when there is a break in the inner lining of the aorta. Blood then begins to dissect down through the middle layer of the aorta, creating a false lumen. As the vessel begins to balloon up with the dissection, there is an imminent risk of rupture. John Ritter of "Three's Company" fame, died when his thoracic aorta burst due to a dissecting aortic aneurysm. Which other classic comedian also met this same tragic fate?

Lucille Ball. Lucille Ball died of a thoracic aortic dissection despite a heroic and almost successful surgical attempt to save her life. In Lucille Ball's case, she did well after the initial placement of her aortic graft, but died several days later when the dissection continued distal to the graft. Hypertension, pregnancy and some connective tissue diseases are risks factors for aortic dissection. Both Milton Berle and Jackie Gleason died of cancer. W. C. Fields died from a gastrointestinal bleed from a stomach ulcer.

Which panelist on "What's My Line" died from a lethal combination of barbiturates and alcohol?

Dorothy Kilgalen. Dorothy Kilgallen died from a lethal combination of barbiturates and alcohol in November of 1965. Fortunately, barbiturates are no longer prescribed for insomnia. They have been replaced by other groups of drugs like the benzodiazepines that have a much higher margin of safety.

What "heart-throb," who appeared in Playgirl magazine a month after his death in October 1984, died when he jokingly pulled the trigger on a blank-loaded 44 magnum prop gun that he had placed to his right temple while on the set of the TV series "Cover-Up"?

Jon Erik Hexum. Although there was no bullet in the chamber, the explosive force of the blank was enough to mortally wound Hexum. Ricky Bell was a NFL player who died of heart failure. Dar Robinson and Cliff Burton both died in motor vehicle accidents. Dar Robinson was a legendary movie stuntman and Cliff Burton was the bass player for the band Metallica.

The epiglottis is responsible for closing off our windpipe when we swallow. An inflammation of the epiglottis can prove fatal as it may lead to airway obstruction. While this infection is most commonly recognized in children, it also occurs in a significant number of adults. According to medical historians, which US president most likely died of epiglottitis?

George Washington. An eyewitness to George Washington's death wrote a detailed description of the event. That historical account can be found at this website: http://www.doctorzebra.com/prez/z_x01death_lear_t.htm

Which crotchety character with a presidential-sounding name died when he refused to leave his home during the volcanic eruption of Mount Saint Helens in May 1980?

Harry Truman. The 83-year-old Harry Truman operated a lucrative lodge on Spring Lake. He refused to leave his property despite many warnings, and he died during the eruption along with his 16 cats.

Which of these famous people died of AIDS?

All of them (Robert Reed, Isaac Asimov, Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke)). Isaac Asimov contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion. Amanda Blake had no known risk factors. Robert Reed was widely reported to be homosexual.

In the early 1990s, a special interest group headed by Dr. Victor McKusick petitioned the United States Government to study the preserved tissue remains of which United States President? This special interest group was particularly interested in uncovering evidence of a genetic mutation on chromosome number 15.

Abraham Lincoln. In 1991, scientists linked the production of the defective fibrillin gene in Marfan's Syndrome to a mutation on chromosome 15. Medical historians have debated whether Lincoln had this disease ever since this disease was first described in a young girl by Dr. Antoine Marfan in 1896. This disease affects primarily three body systems: cardiovascular, ocular, and orthopedic. While Lincoln had some of the skeletal stigmata of this disease (e.g. long thin bones, spidery fingers, and protrusion of his forehead), efforts to support cardiovascular findings went as far as to say that the reason his feet were out of focus in a civil war picture was because of a very wide pulse pressure due to what must have been aortic regurgitation. This Lincoln-Marfan debate was not resolved as the US Government denied access to Lincoln's remains.

Lou Gehrig died of a progressive neurological disease that now bears his name? What is another name for Lou Gehrig's Disease? HINT: Think acronymically.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Lou Gehrig's disease is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is invariably fatal. Landry's ascending paralysis is another name for Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a very interesting illness as it generally occurs in healthy individuals after only a minor viral illness. It causes weakness in the lower extremities that progressively ascends causing paralysis of the muscles of respiration. Amazingly, 95% of patients survive this frightening illness. Guillain-Barre Syndrome was responsible for the swine flu influenza deaths.

Pulmonary emboli occur when there is inadequate movement of blood in the deep veins of the legs causing blood to thrombose there. When these clots break off they become emboli and travel back to the lungs where they prevent blood from picking up oxygen. CBS news correspondent David Bloom died in Iraq from a pulmonary embolus after a prolonged period of immobilization in an armored tank. Who else died unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolus?

Dan Blocker. Dan Blocker who played Hoss Cartwright on Bonanza died of a pulmonary embolus after routine surgery to remove his gallbladder. It is important that all patients begin ambulating as soon as possible after any surgery in order to decrease their risks for postoperative pulmonary emboli. All the other people mentioned in this question died in motor vehicle accidents.

Who died from complications of a sexually-transmitted disease?

All of these people (Freddie Mercury, Franz Schubert, Al Capone). Freddie Mercury died from AIDS complications. Both Franz Schubert and Al Capone died from complications of tertiary syphilis.