der (potassium chlorate and magnesium) to ignite on cue. I volunteered to help them out, so I took the mixture to the chemistry lab and added just a pinch of phosphorous to the mixture and obtained immediate results. The explosion blew out many of the windows in the building, split the two-inch oak bench top, broke many bottles of chemicals, and left the lab a disaster area. I spent many weeks in the hospital after my thumb and finger were reattached, the hole in my stomach repaired, and the severe burns from my waist up were treated. My doctor had been reading about experimentation with a new drug called sulfa; so he called the laboratory in Chicago to see if he could acquire some. He was afraid there was extreme danger of infections as the wounds were not clear and clean. A supply was flown out, and my parents consented to its use, as it was still experimental. My hand and stomach were then packed in sulfa, and we waited. Four days later I was prepared for surgery to have my hand removed because there was the appearance of gangrene moving up my arm. While in surgery the next morning, the doctors saw signs of improvement and decided to wait another day. Each day thereafter, recovery became more apparent. After that disaster, Professor Ralph "Stubby" Gray began each new class in chemistry with a full-hour lecture on taking our work seriously, and of course the lecture was centered on the story of my experiences. As I think about the cartoon, it still brings me delight, in spite of the fact I nearly duplicated it. Experimenting with chemicals 42 We Remember John Piers LaMar Buckner Wat Misaka Sophie Reed and Mildred Taggart 1941 orchestra strings section 43