Why was Mrs. Dubose ill ("to kill a mockingbird")?

Answer 1

Mrs. Dubose is a sickly old crotchety old woman who yells mean things at Scout and Jem about how they'll amount to nothing when they grow up. Atticus later explains that Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict, and she died after freeing herself from her addiction. Atticus considers her one of the bravest people he knows and he wanted Jem to see that about her.

Answer 2

she was a morphine addict

Answer 3

i guess because she was old