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Previous Volume 329:817 September 9, 1993 Number 11 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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By Timothy E. Quill. 255 pp. New York, W.W. Norton, 1993. $21.95. ISBN 0-393-03448-8.

This book, written from the heart, is compassionate and empathic. It makes a compelling argument for legalizing physician-assisted suicide, by discussing cases in which comfort or palliative care proved inadequate. Dr. Quill first described a case in the Journal (1991;324:691-694) where he admitted prescribing barbiturates for a young woman, Diane, who was dying of cancer. She used them to free herself from the discomfort, pain, and uncertainty of dying. Alone, she took the medications and died. He believes that this was the only option available to him at that time and feels that his actions were justified. He regrets that . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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