UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.* QUESTIONS AT THE EXAMINATIONS IN CHEMISTRY, BOTANY, AND MATERIA MEDICA. BACHELOR OF MEDICINE.-FIRST EXAMINATION. TUESDAY, August 2.-MORNING, Ten to One. Examiner, PROFESSOR DANIELL. 1. A solution of a Salt is contained in a bottle marked A, placed before you, with appropriate tests-of what acid and base is it composed? what are their equivalent numbers upon the Hydrogen scale? and what is the nature of the changes produced by the tests? 2. A solution of another Salt marked B, is also placed before you, with appropriate tests-what is the acid of the salt? what its probable base, its equivalent number, and the nature of the changes produced by the tests? 3. What is meant by the Atomic Theory? State its leading doctrines, and explain them by examples. 4. How may the Chemical Equivalent of a substance be determined? 5. What advantage is there in stating the proportions of the ingredients of compound bodies in Equivalents over a statement of the same proportions per cent? 6. What do the following symbols represent: SO, NH3, HO=SO, NH? and what is the theory to which the equation refers? 7. What general principle do we avail ourselves of for the measurement of temperature, and how is it applied? 8. Describe the construction and explain the action of the Electrophorus. 9. What are the forces which may be developed by a Voltaic Current? Briefly exemplify each when called into action. BACHELOR OF MEDICINE.-FIRST EXAMINATION. FRIDAY, August 12.- MORNING, Ten to One. CHEMISTRY. Examiner, PROFESSOR DANIELL. 1. What is meant by specific and latent Heat? Explain with reference to examples, and state the general modes of estimating each. 2. What is meant by the Polarization of Heat? How may Heat be polarized? 3. State Dr. Faraday's theory of Electrical Induction, and the principal facts upon which it is founded. 4. How is the force conducted in the different parts of a Voltaic Circuit? and what is the law of its conduction? We have received from the University a list of the names of the successful candidates, but our space does not admit of their publication. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. 3. Having obtained the amount per cent. of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in a vegetable substance as follows: C....42.4 how would you proceed to calculate its composition in equivalents? and how might the result be confirmed? 6. What is the view which must be taken of the Monobasic, Bibasic, and Tribasic Phosphates upon the Binary Theory of Salts? 7. What are the principal chemical characters of Lithic and Phosphatic Calculi ? 8. What is the constitution of Urea? How may it be formed artificially? and how may it be detected in the urine? BACHELOR OF MEDICINE.-FIRST EXAMINATION. TUESDAY, August 2.-AFTERNOON, Three to Six. BOTANY. Examiner, PROFESSOR HENSLOW. 1. Distinguish between prickles, thorns, and bristles. 2. Explain the structure of a Cremocarpium. 3. Compare the principal structural differences in the flowers and fruit of Clematis, Anemone, Ranunculus, Helleborus, and Pæonia, upon which five subordinate groups or tribes of Ranunculaceæ depend. 4. What is the chief characteristic difference in the structure of the flowers of plants grouped under the tribes Alsineæ and Sileneæ ? 5. How are the leaves disposed in Chenopodiacea, and have they stipules or not? 6. How is the origin of the vesicles of the cellular tissue explained? 7. Explain the general process of fertilization; and describe its peculiar modifications in Orchidaceæ. Describe the specimens marked, BACHELOR OF MEDICINE.-FIRST EXAMINATION. TUESDAY, August 2.-AFTERNOON, Three to Six. MATERIA MEDICA AND PHARMACY. · 1. Describe the mode of preparing Tartaric Acid according to the London Pharmacopoeia. Explain the chemical changes which occur in the process. State the atomic constitution of the acid in both the dry and crystallized states. Give the tests by which the acid may be distinguished from other vegetable acids, and by which the absence of the Bitartrate of Potash in its powder may be ascertained. Lastly, State what are the quantities of Car bonate of Potash (the granulated salt of the shops), Bicarbonate of Potash (crystallized), Carbonate of Soda (crystallized), Sodæ sesquicarbonas, Ph. Lond., and Ammonia sesquicarbonas, Ph. Lond., which are respectively required to saturate one scruple of the crystallized acid. 2. You are requested to give a botanical description of Hyoscyamus niger; describing successively the root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruit, and seeds: stating its duration, and its position in both the Sexual System of Linnæus and the Natural System of De Candolle. Mention the principal symptoms which characterize its operation on the system in both medicinal and poisonous doses. State in what cases its use is preferable to that of opium, and in what doses you would administer the Tincture and Extract. 3. Briefly state the circumstances which favour the view that the absorption of a medicine is necessary to the production of its remote effects. 4. In what cases are Ferruginous Tonics to be preferred to the Bitter Vegetable Tonics? 5. What is the specific gravity of Spiritus rectificatus, Ph. Lond., and of Spiritus tenuior? What are the relative proportions, by volume, of rectified spirit and water which are required to constitute proof spirit? By what tests is the presence of Oil of Corn Spirit in Rectified Spirit to be detected? 6. What quantities of the following preparations contain respectively one grain of Opium :-Confectio Opii, Pilula Saponis Compositæ, Pulvis Creta compositus cum Opio, Tinctura Opii, Tinctura Camphora composita, and Pulvis Ipecacuhanæ compositus? BACHELOR OF MEDICINE.-FIRST EXAMINATION. FRIDAY, August 12.-AFTERNOON, Three to Six. MATERIA MEDICA AND PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY. 1. Describe the method of obtaining Oil of Vitriol. Explain the theory of the process. How would you detect the presence of Lead, Nitrous Acid, and Arsenious Acid in Oil of Vitriol ? 2. What are the salts with which commercial Bromide of Potassium is frequently contaminated, and by what tests can you detect them? What are the characters of pure Creasote? By what means would you ascertain whether Ferri Potassio-Tartras, Ph. Lond., has been properly prepared? 3. What effect on the gums is produced by the absorption of Lead? 4. In what cases are Mercury and Iodine respectively indicated as resolvents? And what are the circumstances which lead you to prefer the one or the other of these medicines ? 5. By what botanical characters would you distinguish Conium maculatum from Ethusa Cynapium? By what characters is the fruit of Conium maculatum distinguished from that of Pimpinella Anisum ? 6. By what test is the presence of Salicin in the decoction of Willow-bark to be ascertained? 7. What are the effects and uses of Lobelia inflata? In what form and dose would you administer it? 8. Name the substances respectively numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. TO CORRESPONDENTS. "J. H. P., LEEDS." The leaves are cynanchum. "M P. S.," LIVERPOOL. The crystals are chloride of sodium, which is not unfrequently found in old extract of hyoscyamus, as the salt exists in the plant. "R. L. M. P. S." enquires, Whether, in the following prescription, the carbonate of potash of the present Pharmacopoeia should be used? R Lig. Sedat. Batt. 3ss. Ext. Taraxaci 3j. Sp. Cinnam. 3iij. Potassæ Carbon. 3j. M. If the prescription be correctly prepared, there is no alternative. If the writer intended bicarbonate to be used, he is responsible for the error. In this instance we have no means of judging which salt was intended. Tinct, croci is ordered in the Edinburgh and Dublin Pharmacopoeias as follows: R Croci Stig. 3j. Sp. Vini. Ten. 3xv. "T. G. E. A. P. S." enquires, What decomposition takes place on adding sp. lavand. co. to liq. plumbi diacetatis? The colouring matter of red sandal wood, santalin of Pelletier, forms insoluble precipitates with several metallic solutions, among which is that of acetate of lead. "AN ASSOCIATE, SHEFFIELD," has sent a form for ung. hyd. nit. in which nut oil is one of the ingredients. As this substitution has already been proposed, we think it unnecessary to publish the paper, especially as the formula is a deviation from the Pharmacopoeia. "W. N. S." describes an experiment which he has contrived for freezing water by the sudden liberation of carbonic acid under great pressure. Although we give our Correspondent credit for originality, the principle of the process is not new, as we have seen mercury frozen in a similar manner. "T.J. M."-Castile soap should be used in making linimentum saponis. "PERSHORE." We are not in possession of "a receipt for polish blacking, warranted not to come off and soil." "AN ASSOCIATE" (Bolton) writes for the formula of the Solar Tincture, invented, he believes, by Aristotle. The following is most likely the article alluded to: AURUM POTABILE, OR TINCTURA SOLIS. Hippocrates, L. 1, de Diæta, text 47.-"R Calcem, per VR factum, reverberatione, in summam porositatem et brunnitatem redactum, affunde ▼ microsmic, digere 1. calore per mensem vase H clauso; donec sanguinis instar rubicunda tinctura evadat. Hinc decanta, et affunde novum menstruum, idque toties repete, quoties opus. Solutiones collectæ per octo et duodecim dies digerantur. Hinc lenissimo calore menstruum (in similes usus reservandum) in MB separetur. Sic remanet tinctura in fundo forma i rubicundissimi, in quolibet liquore solubilis, quæ vicem potabilis supplere potest. Eandem solutionem si loco MB in arenâ per cucurbitam vel retortam destilles: tandem tinctura simul per XX transit, rubicunda instar sanguinis, relictâ in fundo terrâ acidâ nigrâ, spongiosâ. Tinctura à menstruo suo in MB saltem tepido liberata ulterius exaltari potest, si aliquoties in solvatur, ac spiritus idem per destillationem à tincturâ abstrahatur."-Pharmacopoeia Schröderi Medico Chimica. "AN ASSOCIATE" (Manchester) enquires which is the best and cheapest way of making Gallic Acid? Enquiries of this description, involving pounds, shillings, and pence, are not easily answered. Those who are not manufacturers are not likely to know, and manufacturers are not likely to tell the secrets by which they live. VOL. II. Mr. LADBURY, OF WEDNESBURY, has sent the following formula for concentrated camphor julep : R Spirit Camphora, 3ij. Sp. Rectif., 3xxxij. M. If this be intended for the extemporaneous preparation of camphor julep we think the myrrh should be omitted. We are not aware for what purpose it is added. The same correspondent enquires, "What are the medicinal properties of oleum succini ?" It is stimulant and antispasmodic. "T. P. D." enquires, which is the best formula for making Citrate of Iron into pills, and in what cases it is administered? We have seen it ordered in prescriptions with extract of chamomiles, which forms a good mass. Conserve of hips is also a good vehicle, with a little liquorice powder if too soft. We are not aware that the medicinal effect of the citrate differs materially from that of other preparations of iron, but its appearance, and the absence of any unpleasant taste, recommend it to patients whose stomachs are delicate. "D. B. AN ASSOCIATE." We have not seen any published formula for "Linimentum Hydrargri Nitratis," but have frequently met with prescriptions in which the ointment is ordered to be diluted with olive oil, oil of turpentine, &c. "OMEGA" cannot understand how the presence of nitrate of soda in the chloride of sodium of commerce should occasion the liberation of free chlorine in the preparation of hydrochloric acid, as noticed by Dr. Christison. The nitrate of soda gives up its nitric acid, the base combining with sulphuric acid-the nitric acid, in contact with hydrochloric acid, parts with one atom of its oxygen, which combines with the hydrogen of the hydrochloric acid, giving rise to the formation of nitrous acid, chlorine, and water, NO› + H. Cl. being converted into NO1+Cl. +HỎ. Thus, if colourless nitric and hydrochloric acids be mixed, they assume a deep yellow colour, and afford the smell of chlorine and nitrous acid, This is aqua regia, sometimes improperly called nitro-muriatic acid, which the above formula represents. "S. C. TITE." The elementary body alluded to is Lantanium, discovered by Mosander in minerals containing cerium. It has not been much examined, and is not even noticed by Graham in his Elements of Chemistry. "AN ASSOCIATE." Tables containing the "French weights and measures, with the corresponding English weights and measures," are given in Thomson's and Christison's Dispensatories, and most works of that kind. In Christison's Dispensatory also are described the "antidotes for common poisons," in treating of the different poisonous substances. Mr. SETCHFIELD (Leicester) adverts to the incompatibility of disulphate of quina with compound infusion of orange-peel, stating that in a mixture containing 40 grains, he had added 120 drops of diluted sulphuric acid without being able to effect its solution; he considers water or camphor mixture preferable to any astringent infusions as a vehicle for quinine. "T. R. A. P. S." 1. ADULTERATION OF COPAIVA. Hydrate of lime or carbonate of magnesia afford the best tests of the genuineness of copaiva. The action of the former is described at page 655, vol. i. of this Journal. Pure copaiva dissolves one-fourth of its weight of carbonate of magnesia, and remains translucent; should any fixed oil be mixed with it, it will become opaque. The presence of turpentine may be detected by the smell, especially on applying a gentle heat. 2. See Vol. II., No. II., p. 69. 3. The usual method of bleaching castor oil is exposure to the rays of the sun. |