Coroner's ruling in the case of the actress Brittany Murphy—the cause of death was pneumonia, anemia and "multiple drug intoxication"—reminds me of a yarn a friend likes to tell about an old-time musician.

The man was a womanizer, a night owl, a boozer, a drug fiend and a massive over-eater.

At the news of his death, somebody asked, "What'd he die of?"

"Man," came the answer, "he died of everything."