Fatal diseases of composers due to tobacco smoking and other addictions

INTRODUCTIONWe have examined over 10 000 composers' biographies, and in this article we have decided to present about 40 pathographies of composers who died of fatal illnesses which were a result or in a way connected to their tobacco addictions. We also examined several rock musicians who were heavy smokers, and died mostly young of diseases connected to their addiction.1,2-11JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)A German composer and organist. In one of his rare authentic portraits in 1746 (by Elias Gottlob Haussmann) oral asymmetry is obvious, suggesting minor to partial right central facial palsy, probably due to a prior (mild? ) stroke. From the same portrait obesity is obvious. During his last two years his vision dete- riorated rapidly with pain in his eyes, therefore he was advised to consult an ophtalmologist. By the end of 1749 he was not able to write any more. That could be due to another stroke or worsening of his vision. In 1750, he suffered a fatal stroke, complicated with fever (pneumonia). Two famous local doctors tried to help him, but without success. Johann Sebastian Bach died in 1650 from a stroke. Although he was one of the most famous composers, he was also a poet. He wrote a poem called »edifying thoughts of a tobacco smoker«, from which we excluded few interesting lines which show what he thought of his addiction:3'10'15'16» Whene 're I take my pipe and stuff itAnd smoke to pass the time away,My thoughts as I sit there and puff it,Dwell on a picture sad and grey:It teaches me that very likeAm I myself unto my pipe.Like me, this pipe so fragrant burningIs made of naught but earth and clay;To earth I too shall be returning. «GEORG FRIEDRICH HAENDEL (1685-1759)A German-born composer famous for his operas, oratories, anthems and organ concertos. He was a strong and dynamic personage, who inclined to food and drinking, which made him suffer from gluttony and alcohol abuse. He was also a heavy smoker. His episodes of a »paralytic disorder« could be interpreted as strokes, rheumatic recurrent illness, but also as alcoholic pre-delirium states or symptomatic alcoholism due to the existing depression. He died totally blind (probably from cataract) despite of some operations, due to arteriosclerotic and vascular problems and it is assumed the cause of death was either a heart attack-failure or a stroke with pre-delirium signs. 15,16,17GIOACCHINO ROSSINI (1792-1868)An Italian composer. It is supposed that he began with his lustful way of life when he was 15 and very soon was infected with gonorrhoea. In spite of all treatments, at that time very palliative, his illness became chronic with a number of new infections, again because of his way of living. Otherwise, he was inclined to illnesses with frequent throat inflammations, which rather intensified from time to time. Because of his fatness, caused by his enormous appetite, he became less mobile and short of breath. In 1866 he got a digestive catarrhus and brain stroke with temporary paralysis, from which he was recovering very slowly. He was more and more dysfunctional, felt pressure in his chest and anxiety with insomnia. He was a heavy smoker. Heart disturbances were growing, leading to coronary heart disease, erysipelas appeared on his right leg and his intestinal disturbances particularly deteriorated. Intestinal malfunction and other troubles were the reason for the first and then the second operation in November of 1868. A progression of rectum cancer was found and parts of the tumor were removed. He died in coma. 10,15,16HECTOR BERLIOZ (1803-1869)A French composer and conductor. He tried to commit suicide twice by laudanum (opium). Opium misuse finally resulted in addiction and gradually made him look like a shadow. One year, after a head commotion, he passed away from a stroke as a chronic opium abuser and a heavy tobacco smoker.410,15FRANZ LISZT (1811-1886)A Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist conductor and teacher. …