Shifting targets for our magic bullets

Abstract

In his personal journal at a blank space immediately below the entry recording the birth of his first child (T. H.) Huxley made another significant entry:

’september 20th, 1860

And this same child, our first-born, after being for nearly four years our delight and joy, was carried off by scarlet fever in forty-eight hours. This day week he and I had a great romp together. On Friday his restless head with its bright blue eyes and tangled hair tossed all day upon his pillow. On Saturday night I carried him here to my study and laid his cold still body here, where I write. Here too on Sunday came his mother, broken by grief.’(From: Irvine, W.: Apes, Angels and Victorians.)