a freak genius

The therapeutic action of alphol is said to be similar to that of salol. Pancreatic and the intestinal juices decompose alphol into salicylic acid and alpha-naphthol. The new remedy is recommended as antiseptic, antineuralgic, and antirheumatic.

An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.

… it is also clear that Burghley had viewed the visit with the expectation that Standen could thereby be 'betrowed', his real loyalty tested out.