In a message dated 19/02/2004 16:02:00 GMT Standard Time, relder@tiscali.co.uk writes: > 1) Myocardial Degeneration > 2) Arteriosclerosis > 3) Ulcerative Colitis > Myocardial Degeneration means degeneration of heart muscle, but is often used as a euphemism for old age. Arteriosclerosis or Atherosclerosis Commonly called hardening of the arteries Almost everyone gets this condition eventually. The arteries fur up with plaques of cholesterol, over which a blood clot can grow, which narrows the artery and eventually fail to adequately supply blood. It leads to angina, heart attacks, strokes and gangrene of the limbs. It is more common in smokers, diabetics and those with high blood pressure. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, recurring disease of the large bowel. Regards Stan Mapstone