A slight deviation of the gun barrel and the bullet misses vital organs but inflicts terrible wounds. Reports in newspapers and journals indicate that the preferred method is to put the gun into the mouth and shoot upward, but even here there have sometimes been survivors.

A few terminally ill persons I have known have quietly ascended their favorite mountain late in the day and made sure that they were above the freezing line for that particular time of the year. They used public transport to get there so that a parked car would not be spotted. Then, wearing light clothing, they sat down in a secluded spot to await the end.

Remember, there are two ways to starve oneself to death: without food and fluids, which is the quicker way but more painful; and with fluids only, which is slower but less painful. In both methods, painkilling drugs and skilled nursing are desirable.

Some doctors who specialize in the care of geriatric patients have told me that there are rare occasions when they have heard a very old, sick, and frail person announce, “I’m going to die today.” And the individual did. But it doesn’t happen often.

The helium drives oxygen from the brain, causing rapid brain death and leaves no traces.

If family circumstances unfortunately oblige you to end your life in a hospital or a motel, it is gracious to leave a note apologizing for the shock and inconvenience to the staff. I have also heard of individuals leaving a generous tip to the motel staff to compensate them for the disturbance caused.

It is astonishing how many people do not make a will – legal scholars say about 85 percent of the population dies intestate.

However much the drink is loaded with sweeteners, patients say it still tastes awful. Usually observers have noticed that the patients are so desperate to die that they ignore the nasty tasting drink. The Oregon dosage is: Seconal capsules reduced to powder - 9 grams& Pure water - 4 ounces– OR – Liquid Nembutal - 9 grams& Add water to suit

There is a growing moral view that patients should take charge of their own ends now that more sophisticated means of suicide – as described in this book – are available.