The document lists various names and causes of death starting with each letter of the alphabet. People died in a variety of gruesome ways including falling down stairs, being attacked by bears, wasting away, being thrown from a sleigh, choking on food, being sucked dry by leeches, being smothered by a rug, being attacked by a thug, drowning in a lake, accidentally drinking lye, being struck with an axe, swallowing tacks, being swept out to sea, dying of an unknown illness, being run through with an awl, being trampled in a brawl, sinking in a mire, being consumed by fire, dying of fits, flying into bits, slipping down a drain