Anatomy of an Illness

The laughter is the most powerful medicine. Through trust,hope, humor and many months of treatment the patient with incurable disease was cured.

Anatomy of an illness is an emotional and poignant true story, which not only educates the readers, but also touches their heart.

The author, Norman Cousins, a magazine editor was diagnosed with the crippling and incurable spinal illness. He decided to take control of his own illness and treatment. He discovered that laughter gave him some relief from the pain. He soon checked out of hospital and into a hotel room where he could watch funny movies and comedy films whenever he wanted to. Away from the clinical environment his condition started to improve. He was lucky enough to win the support of his doctor, who helped him to start taking mega does of vitamin C against conventional wisdom.
The combination of laughter and vitamin C helped to fight off a disease which was considered irreversible.

In fact, the author was reluctant to write about it for many years because he was fearful of creating false hopes in others who were similarly afflicted.