The Phial of Dread and other stories

"The Phial of Dread and other stories" is a collection of novellas by Fitz Hugh Ludlow. The collection features two of his well-known works including the headline story. "The Phial Of Dread" was one of Ludlow's earliest stories published. It is written as the journal of a chemist who is visited in his laboratory by the insane daughter of an acquaintance, who felt herself pursued by Death. When she got to the lab, she immediately sought out some chemical with which she could kill herself… "The Music Essence'', featured a man who composes a symphony for his deaf wife by translating the musical notes into light and colors. The story also highlight the use of opiates in his day, a matter that had affected him personally.