Then, in 1857, Louisa's younger sister Elizabeth became ill. This is shown in Little Women with the sickness of "Beth." Elizabeth lived for 8 years and then her life came to a close, but the tragic death of her sister from complications of scarlet fever brought Louisa back home to support her family emotionally and financially. When the war broke out, Louisa volunteered in the hospitals as a helping nurse in Washington, D.C. During her time in the wards, she kept a journal and often wrote letters home. These letters and journal entries were later published and called "Hospital Sketches." However, she contracted typhoid fever and was treated with calomel, which contains mercury. The treatment cured her of typhoid, but the mercury would eventually kill her with heavy metal poisoning. In 1877 her mother's illness grew worse and she, too, was feeling ill.

Louisa May Alcott lived a long, prosperous life. She was not

Some common words found in the essay are:
Movement America, Hospital Sketches, Louisa Alcott, Beth Elizabeth, Louisa Alcott's, Boston MA, Washington DC, Little Women, Elizabeth Amy, Miss Alcott, little women, louisa alcott, sister elizabeth, sister anna, louisa's sister,
Approximate Word count = 622
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)