Chapters 28, 29 and 30 Summary

Martin has worked at the McGurk Institute for a year and just when he feels that he is a failure again makes an important discovery related to killing staphylococcus bacteria. Martin realizes that a sample of pus left in a test tube of a certain solution has not only stopped the bacteria from growing but also killed the bacteria altogether. Martin names his discovery the X Principle and hopes that it will apply to bacteria other than staphylococcus.

Gottlieb is happy for Martin and guides his protégé through the stages of more testing but is mad when Martin allows a physician to test the X Principle on live patients before the proper lab tests are completed.

Martin is overwrought from work and reaches the point of a nervous breakdown complete with delusions and fear-based visions prompting a short trip to...