{{B}}Passage One{{/B}}
The improbable chain of events that leads Alexander Fleming 1.______
to discover penicillin in 1928 is the stuff which scientific myths 2.______
are made. It was a discovery that would change the course of the
history, The active ingredient in that mold, which Fleming
named penicillin, turned to be an infection-fighting agent of 3.______
enormous potency. When it was finally recognized as what it
was—the efficacious life-saving drug in the world—penicillin 4.______
would alter forever the treatment of bacterial infections. By the
middle of the century, Fleming's discovery spawned a huge phar- 5.______
maceutical industry, churning out synthetic penicillin that would
conquer some of man-kind's most ancient scourges, including
syphilis, gangrene, and tuberculosis.
When he died a heart attack in 1955, he was mourned by 6.______
the world and buried as a national hero in the crypt of St. Paul's
Cathedral in London. Although Fleming's scientific work in and
of itself may not have reached great, his singular contribution 7.______
changed the practice of medicine. He deserves our utmost recog-
nition. At the same time, we must bear on mind that the 8.______
"Fleming Myth", as he called it, embodies the accomplishments
of many giants of anti-biotic development. Fleming is but a cho-
sen representative for the likes of Florey, Chain, Domagk, and
Waksman, many of who remain, sadly, virtual unknowns. 9.______
Their achievements have made the world a better, healthier
place. In commemorating Fleming, and we commemorate them 10.______
all.