The next morning, March 11, 1893, Matthew Hesh convened an emergency council at the White House. Doctors, researchers, and scientific advisors from across the nation filled the room. Among them was Dr. Frederick Hall, head of the Public Health Service, along with prominent chemists and microbiologists. The atmosphere was tense as they awaited the President's directive.
Matthew entered and took his seat at the head of the table. He wasted no time.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the nation is in crisis," he began. "Containment measures are buying us time, but they won't solve the core problem. We need a cure. I believe the solution lies in developing an antibiotic. Specifically, I want us to create a compound capable of killing bacterial infections."
