     ACCORDING TO INITIAL INFORMATION RECEIVED: DECEASED HAD A PAST MEDICAL HISTORY OF HYPERTENSION, PULMONARY EMBOLUS, SOME HEART PROBLEMS AND DIABETES MELLITUS. HE HAD ALSO UNDERGONE RECENT SURGERY FOR AN ULCER OF THE RIGHT ANKLE. HE DID NOT DRINK OR SMOKE.
     
     JULY 27, 1996 DECEASED COMPLAINED OF ABDOMINAL PAINS, DIARRHEA AND VOMITTING. HE WAS TAKEN TO COLUMBIA DEERING HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS ADMITTED WITH SUSPECTED SMALLBOWEL OBSTRUCTION.  HIS CONDITION CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE UNTIL JULY 29, 1996 WHEN HE WAS PRONOUNCED.
 
      ACCORDING TO THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, DR. DAVID GOLDBERG, HE REFUSED TO SIGN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE BECAUSE HE HAS NO IDEA WHY THE DEC'D EXPIRED. THE REMAINS WERE BROUGHT IN FOR PROPER CERTIFICATION AFTER THE FAMILY REQUESTED AN AUTOPSY. THE REMAINS WERE TO BE CREMATED.