Fess Took Me for a Polysaccha-ride

Heidelberger, a trained musician and accomplished clarinetist, composed this humorous song to commemorate his collaboration with Avery in the discovery of the specific soluble substances (referred to as SSS in the song), the antigens of pneumococcus bacteria, which Heidelberger and Avery determined were polysaccharides. Several of Avery's colleagues, including Heidelberger, Alphonse R. Dochez, and Walter W. (Bill) Palmer, are mentioned in the song's lyrics.