Q. 10. Make a drawing to show the general position of the various structures contained in the eyeball. What is the blind spot,

and why is it blind?

The drawing was in most cases correctly given as regards the chief details. In connection with the reason why the blind spot is blind there seemed to be evidence of want of intelligent thought.

STAGE 2.

Results 1st Class, 169; 2nd Class, 559; Failed, 151; Total, 879.

The work was a considerable improvement on that of previous years, the percentage of those obtaining the standard of first class was higher, being 19 per cent. as compared with 13 per cent. in 1905, whilst only 17 per cent. of the candidates failed to reach the pass standard; in 1905 there were 32 per cent. of failures. The inaccuracies to which attention was drawn in the report for 1905 were much less conspicuous, and although there was still evidence of inequality in different batches of papers, the poor batches were not so inadequate as in previous years. The answers were distinctly more intelligent as a whole, and this appears to indicate that the teaching has improved as regards efficiency.

Q. 21. Classify from the point of view of their action the various substances in the digestive secretions which alter the constituents of the food, and indicate the organs which are concerned in their production?

The point of view indicated by the term "classify" was not taken by the great majority of those who attempted this question. No classification into sugar-forming, fat - splitting and proteolytic enzymes was made, although many facts were correctly given."

Q. 22. What is understood by the expression "arterial blood

pressure"? In what respects does the blood pressure differ in the various parts of the vascular system? Explain what happens to the arterial blood pressure when the spinal cord is divided.

There is still considerable confusion between the pressure distribution in a system and the varieties of flow of liquid in such a system. By means of a water supply and some elastic tubing the main features of pressure and flow can be demonstrated.

Q. 23. Describe the minute structure of an intestinal villus. What are the nature and course of the channels by which the absorbed constituents of the digested food reach the general systemic circulation?

This question was answered very well by some candidates, and fairly by most of those who attempted it. The weakest feature was the description of the villus.

Q. 24. Describe the situation and structure of the lungs. What is artificial respiration, and how would you employ it the case of an apparently drowned person?

Fairly well answered by most candidates, and, as regards the second part, quite intelligently by the great majority.

Q. 25. By what organs are substances excreted from the body? Briefly explain any alteration in the different excretions resulting from (a) muscular exertion, (b) absence of food, (c) warm surroundings. The alterations in the different excretions under the various conditions indicated in the latter part of this question were not satisfactorily explained. The question demanded intelligent appreciation of the general principles of metabolism.

9291.

N

Q. 26. Of what substances is a bone composed? Describe with the aid of appropriate drawings the general and microscopic structure of a long bone, such as the femur.

The answers were on the whole satisfactory, and the drawings were in most cases appropriate and good. The least satisfactory feature of the majority of answers was that concerned with the composition of bone.

Q. 27. Enumerate the cranial nerves, stating in general terms the functions of each. State briefly the part of the central nervous system to which each is attached.

Those who attempted this question answered it fairly well, and in some instances excellently.

Q. 28. Give a short description of the situation, general structure and functions of (a) the crystalline lens, (b) the olfactory mucous membrane, (c) the circumvallate papillæ.

As a whole this question was poorly done, although there were a few very good answers. The functions of the crystalline lens were in many cases wrongly described, and there is still the tendency among weaker candidates to use the two expressions, "refraction" and "reflection indiscriminately.

STAGE 3.

Results 1st Class, 10; 2nd Class, 21; Failed, 27; Total, 58.

There were 58 candidates in this Stage, as compared with 42 in 1905. The work of the best candidates showed distinct improvement, and the percentage of failures was slightly smaller than in the previous year. The Stage demands from candidates practical acquaintance with microscopic work (see Question 41), and some knowledge of the simpler operations used in physiological chemistry (see Question 42), The new syllabus for next year will increase these requirements, and, by limiting the candidates to those who have already taken Stage 2, will prevent this Stage being attempted by those who are quite unqualified to enter upon it.

Q. 41. Identify and describe with appropriate drawings the structural features of each of the two specimens A and B provided for microscopic examination.

The specimens were first a section through the cardiac end of the stomach, which, being doubly stained, showed more distinctly the two types of gland cells, and secondly, a section through the spinal cord, so stained as to show very beautifully the nerve cells with their contained granules. The stomach section was poorly described, and in the great majority of cases was not identified. The cord section, although identified, was adequately described by only a few of the candidates.

Q. 42. By what method can dextrose be detected in a solution? In what respects does dextrose differ from lactose and maltose? Where is dextrose found in the body, and what is its physiological importance?

This question was not well answered by any candidate. It would thus appear that the simple methods used in physiological chemistry for the examination of carbohydrates had not been practised by candidates. Attention is drawn to the terms of the new syllabus for 1906, as regards this.

Q. 43. Describe the peculiarities of the circulation in the mammalian fœtus, illustrating your answer by diagrams.

Only attempted by a few candidates, whose answers were either quite good or very poor. The subject is one of very considerable importance, but is apt to be omitted by teachers, and, although given in most text books of even an elementary kind, is apt to be passed over by students as un

necessary.

Q. 44. Enumerate the nitrogenous substances which are found in the urinary excretion. What is known as to their formation in the body?

Fairly well answered by most candidates, and quite well by a few. One of the most definite substances as regards its formation, hippuric acid, was omitted almost universally, although its formation in the kidney from glycocoll and benzoic acid is one of the best known instances of a synthesis occurring within a body tissue.

Q. 45. By what tracts of nerve fibres do nervous impulses pass along the spinal cord from the cerebral hemispheres to the muscles, and from the posterior spinal roots to the cerebral hemispheres?

Those who attempted this question generally gave a fairly correct account of the principal tracts of nerve fibres in the spinal cord. In the new syllabus for this stage it is stated that one question will always deal with the structure and functions of the central nervous system.

Q. 46. Describe the situation, structure, and innervation of the aqueductus cochleæ. What is believed to be the function of its different parts?

Fairly well answered by those who attempted it, and excellently by several candidates. The answers call for no special comment.

HONOURS.

Results 1st Class, -; 2nd Class, 1; Failed, 1; Total, 2.

There were two candidates for Honours, both of whom did sufficiently well to justify a further practical examination. The practical examination was, as in the previous year, divided into three groups, dealing with histology, physiological chemistry, and experimental work respectively; periods of from three to four hours were assigned to each group. It is desirable to make it clearly known that in order to attempt with any success this part of the examination, candidates must have worked at all these branches of the subject in a physiological laboratory which is equipped for the purpose.

DAY EXAMINATION.

In

The work of these candidates was very different in the two stages. Stage 1 it was quite good and showed great improvement on previous years; the answers were for the most part intelligent and to the point, indicating that for this stage the teaching has become distinctly more efficient. Gross faults of spelling, bad writing, and grammatical errors were comparatively rare. As regards the second stage, the results were disappointing, for, although the number of inadequate answers was decreased as compared with previous years, the number of good papers was less than in 1905. It is probable that candidates for this second stage still trust very largely to getting up by heart certain text-book descriptions, and this was notably the case in the answer to Q. 25. There were, however, some very good consecutive papers among many ones of mediocre value. Thus four consecutive papers all obtained the first class standard. On the other hand, in six consecutive papers and in eight other papers there were respectively two and four failures and only two first class.

STAGE 1.

Results 1st Class, 77; 2nd Class, 53; Failed, 31; Total, 161. The work, like that of the similar stage in the Evening Examination, showed a great improvement on previous years. Whereas in 1905, 29 per cent. of the candidates failed to reach the pass standard, only 19 per cent. failed in the 1906 examination. Certain batches of papers were particularly

9291.

N 2

good. Thus, one batch comprised 20 first class, 4 second class, and only 1 failure; whilst another batch comprised 21 first class, 7 second class, and only 2 failures.

Q. 1. Compare the appearances presented when a drop of blood and a drop of milk are spread out on each of two slides and examined under the microscope.

The weak point in the answers to this question was the description of the microscopic characters of milk, which many candidates have evidently not seen for themselves.

Q. 2. Describe the right side of the human heart, stating precisely what blood vessels are connected with it. In what respects does the blood on the left side of the heart differ from that on the right side?

Fairly well answered by most candidates. No reference was made to the circumstance that as heat is given up by the blood to the air in the lungs, the blood on the left side is cooler than that on the right side of the heart.

Q. 3. What substances make milk, bread, butter, potatoes, meat, and eggs valuable articles of food?

This question calls for no special comment. It was generally well answered by the great majority of the candidates.

Q. 4. Describe the situation of the small intestine, naming its various parts. What changes do the food principles undergo in this structure, and by what agents are they produced?

Fairly well answered by most candidates, and excellently by a considerable number.

Q. 5. Explain by appropriate diagrams the mechanism by which we are enabled to take a deep breath. Supposing that a hole existed between the ribs on the left side, how would this affect the mechanism? Explain any effect which you describe.

On the whole, this question was inadequately answered. The real significance of the diaphragm is not generally appreciated; it does not alter the position of the ribs, as many candidates assert. The latter part of the question was answered correctly by only a few candidates.

Q. 6. Describe the general disposition of the various groups of vertebræ, and the mode in which the vertebral column is related (a) to the skull, and (b) to the pelvis.

Satisfactorily answered by the great majority of candidates, who evidently know the main features of this portion of the skeleton. Many of the drawings were quite good.

Q. 7. Make a drawing to show the shape and relative positions of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. What forms of tissue are present

in these structures?

The weak point in the answers to this question is that of the forms of tissue present. Cellular secreting tissue and blood vessels in the kidney, involuntary muscle in the bladder wall, were given by only a few candidates. Q. 8. Describe the position, general structure, and chief functions of (a) the portal vein, (b) the radius, (c) the parotid glands. The radius still seems to present a difficulty to candidates, who do not realise its great mechanical importance in connexion with the movements of the hand.

Q. 9. What are the general structure and functions of the skin, and how do these differ from those found in the lining of the mouth? Satisfactorily answered by the majority of candidates. There is still a tendency to regard the skin as an organ for excreting in large quantity the waste products of the body.

Q. 10. Can any movements be produced in the brainless frog, and if so, by what means? How would such movements differ from those which occur in the normal animal?

As in previous years, this question presents difficulties which few candidates are able to face. The movements are in themselves the same whether the frog is brainless or entire; they differ in the circumstance that in the brainless frog they only occur in response to definite stimulation of the sense organs in the skin, etc.

Results 1st Class, 22; 2nd Class, 87; Failed, 25; Total, 134.

:

The work of the candidates in this stage was not quite as good as that in previous years. The number of those who failed to attain the pass standard was, however, less than in 1905, amounting to 19 per cent., as compared with 20 per cent. The falling off was due to the smaller number of really good answers, only 16 per cent. attaining a first class standard, as compared with 32 per cent. in 1905. The reason for this is indicated in the detailed remarks.

Q. 21. Enumerate the substances present in blood plasma. What are the differences between blood plasma, serum, and defibrinated blood?

In answering this question very few candidates showed an intelligent appreciation of the fluid part of the circulating blood, that is, blood plasma. Its proteids, salts, and extractives (such as urea, dextrose, and fat) should have been given in the enumeration. The greater part of the allotted marks were given for this part of the question.

Q. 22. Describe the structural and functional peculiarities of a capillary system. What instances are there of one set of blood capillaries being succeeded by a second set, and what must be the effect of such an arrangement?

Fairly well answered by the great majority of candidates, but the bearing of the last part of the question was not appreciated even by good candidates.

The effect of such an arrangement is to cause necessary changes in both the pressure and the rate of flow.

Q. 23. Describe the microscopic character of starch as found in the potato. What is its chemical constitution? By what chemical tests can it be recognised, and to what extent can it be changed into other compounds?

Very well answered by a few candidates, and fairly well by most.

The change of starch into sugar by (a) saliva and (b) boiling with an acid is so easily demonstrated that it should be carried out before students. Trommer's test for sugar should also be demonstrated.

Q. 24. What do you know as to the situation, structure, and functions of the lacteals and the thoracic duct? Describe the character of the fluid which they contain.

On the whole, this question was the most satisfactorily answered of any in the paper. There was some uncertainty as to the precise situation of the thoracic duct, but this was not expected to be given in detail.

Q. 25. What varieties of cartilage are found in the body? Describe the microscopic structure of cartilage and tendon respectively.

The great majority of answers to this question were distinctly inferior, for although the structure of cartilage was known in a general way, that of tendon was wrongly described by most candidates. Many regarded it as muscular, others as composed of elastic tissue, and scarcely any one referred to the well-known "tendon cells."