The state of the art

The physician-author traces the physical and mental decline of his 96-year-old mother during the past six years. Despite her stated readiness to die and against the wishes of her family, her medical attendants have aggressively treated all episodes of acute illness. Feinstein deplores the attitudes of his profession, which pursues a "vigorous therapy that benefits no one except its own satisfaction in thwarting death, regardless of the consequences."