Arthur Hailey - Strong Medicine

It was, Celia thought, as if she had suddenly taken an icy shower. And she knew that Quentin was right. She asked, "So what do you suggest?" The lawyer shrugged.”For the moment, nothing. For the future, as best you can, be cautious. Don't put yourself-or Felding-Roth -in any situation where Senator Donahue can do you harm.”

"What's Mrs. Jordan like?" Yvonne asked Martin. He thought before answering.”Attractive. Strong. Intelligent. Extremely good at her job. Direct and honest, so that when you deal with her, you always know where you stand.”

"I'm already nervous about our meeting.”

He laughed.”No need to be. I predict you'll like each other.”

It was a Friday evening in July and the two of them were in Martin's house at Harlow, into which Yvonne had moved completely almost a year before. She abandoned her small apartment because it seemed a needless expense. In the living room at this moment, books and papers were spread around-a clutter from Yvonne's studies for "A" level exams, now six months away. A year and a half had passed since, at Martin's urging, she had taken on the heavy work load which eventually, they hoped, would launch her into veterinary medicine. The studying had gone well. Yvonne, loving what she was doing, had never been happier. Her joy pervaded the household and was shared by Martin. As well as continuing to work at the Felding-Roth Research institute by day, she was having outside tutoring during some evenings and weekends. Martin-as he had promised -helped Yvonne, supplementing her learning with his practical experience. Another reason for pleasure was progress at the institute. Since the devastating "animal-rights" raid, the reassembly of data had gone far faster than expected. Now, not only was all of it recovered, but development of Peptide 7 had advanced to the point of being ready for a management product review. Celia, along with several others from New Jersey, would arrive at Harlow for that purpose on Wednesday of the next week. At this moment, however, thoughts of Celia were a digression. Martin continued to frown, as he had for several minutes, over a textbook-Murray's Principles of Organic Chemistry. "They've rewritten this since I studied it for my degree. Some of the new stuff is unrealistic. You'll learn it, then ignore it afterward.”

Yvonne asked, "You're talking about those systematic chemical names?" "Of course.”

The Geneva system for chemicals had been devised by the Inter national Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, abbreviated to IUPAC and pronounced "U-pak.”

The idea was that the name of any chemical compound should also indicate its structure. Thus, iso-octane became 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, acetic acid --- common vinegar-was ethanoic acid, and ordinary glycerin, propane-1,2,3 triol. Unfortunately, chemists who were supposed to use the IUPAC names seldom did, though examiners required them. Thus Yvonne was learning the new names for the exams, the old for future lab work. She asked, "Don't you use IUPAC names in the lab?" "Not often. Most of us can't remember them; also they're unwieldy. Anyway, let me test you on both.”

"Go ahead.”

Successively, Martin called off twenty chemicals, sometimes using the old name, with others the newer code. Each time, without hesitating, Yvonne recited the alternate. Martin closed the book, shaking his head.”That memory of yours still amazes me. I wish I had one like it.”

"Is my memory why you won't let me take Peptide 7?" "That's part of it. Mostly, though, I don't want you running any risks.”

A month ago, Martin had posted a notice at the institute. It was headed: Volunteers Wanted. The notice requested that any staffers who were willing to have Peptide 7 injected into them, for the first series of tests on healthy humans, should sign their names below. The objectives and potential risk were carefully spelled out. Before posting the notice, Martin signed himself. Rao Sastri signed immediately after. Within a few days there were fourteen more signatures, including Yvonne's. From the final list, Martin chose a total of ten volunteers. Yvonne was not among them. When she inquired about her omission, he put her off with, "Perhaps later. Not yet.”

The purpose of the early human testing was not to study positive results from Peptide 7, but to look for any harmful side effects. As Martin explained to Celia by telephone at the time, "We're allowed to do this kind of testing in Britain on our own, though in America you'd need approval from the FDA.”

So far, after twenty days' monitoring of the volunteers, who continued to receive daily doses of Peptide 7, there had been no visible side effects whatever. Martin was delighted, though knowing that much more human testing needed to be done. Yvonne sighed, "I'd like to have some Peptide 7 soon. It's probably the only way I'll ever take my extra weight off. By the way, I bought us kippers for tomorrow.”

Martin beamed and told her, "You're an angel.”

Kippers were his favorite breakfast on weekends, when he could take time to enjoy them. His voice became more serious.”I'm going to see my mother tomorrow. I talked to my father today and he told me the doctors say she hasn't long.”

While the deterioration of Martin's mother had been slow, the progression of her Alzheimer's disease had been relentless. A few months earlier, Martin had had her moved into a Cambridge nursing home where she now floated dimly on the outer edge of life. Martin's father continued to live in a small but pleasant flat that Martin had rented for his parents soon after joining Felding-Roth. "I'm sorry.”

Yvonne reached out, touching his hand in sympathy.”Yes, I'll come. If you don't mind my studying in the car.”

They arranged to leave immediately after breakfast. Martin wanted to stop at his office, briefly, on the way.

Next morning at the institute, while Martin glanced through mail and read a computer printout from the day before, Yvonne wandered into the animal room. He found her there later. She had paused in front of a cage containing several rats and Martin heard her exclaim, "You horny old devil!" He asked, amused, "Who is?" Yvonne turned, then pointed to the cage.”This bunch are some of the homiest little beasts I've ever seen. Just lately, they can't seem to get enough of each other. They'd sooner have sex than eat.” While Martin watched, the rat over whom Yvonne had exclaimed continued copulating with a submissive female, while another pair in an adjoining cage amused themselves likewise. He glanced at typed descriptions on both cages. All the rats, he noted, were receiving the most recent, refined batch of Peptide 7. "You said they were horny 'just lately.' What does that mean?" Yvonne hesitated, then looked sharply at Martin.”I suppose... since they've been getting their injections.”

"And they're not young rats?" "If they were human, they'd draw old-age pensions.”

He laughed and said, "It's probably coincidence.”

Then he wondered, was it? As if reading his mind, Yvonne asked, "What will you do?" "On Monday, I'd like you to check the breeding rate of rats which have had Peptide 7. Let me know if it's average, or above.”

"I don't have to wait until Monday. I can tell you now, it's way above normal. Up to this moment, though, I didn't connect-" Martin said sharply, "Don't connect! Assumptions can lead down false alleys. Just send me what figures you have.”

She said submissively, "All right.”

"After that, set up two new groups of male and female older rats. Keep the groups separate, but let each group cohabit. One group will receive Peptide 7, the other won't. I want a computerized study of the mating habits of both.”

Yvonne giggled.”A computer won't tell you how many times

"I suppose not. But it will keep track of litters. We'll settle for that. " She nodded, and Martin sensed that her mind was on something else. He asked, "What is it?" "I was thinking about a funny thing that happened yesterday. While I was buying those kippers. Mickey Yates is one of your volunteers, isn't he?" "Yes.”