Q. 43. Whence is the energy for the work of the human body obtained? Explain this in reference to the theory of the nutritive value of food stuffs. Is all the energy expended in visible work; if not, what becomes of it?

This question was attempted by the majority of the students; the first and last parts were fairly well answered, but there were few who attempted to connect the energy available for work with the nutritive value of food stuffs.

Q. 44. What is the alcoholic strength of whisky and that of beer? How are these fermented drinks prepared, and what are the usual adulterations (if any)?

Comparatively few attempted this question, and of these very few had any knowledge of the alcoholic strength of whisky or malt liquors. As a a rule, the majority were familiar with the ordinary preparation of fermented drinks; they were, however, prepared to accept a large list of articles used as adulterants.

Q. 45. Describe two unhealthy subsoils. Explain why they are undesirable as sites for dwellings, and how they may be improved.

This question was attempted by almost every student and was very indifferently answered. Comparatively few named any subsoil, and the large majority limited their answers to the construction of buildings. Nearly all made reference to "made" soil as a subsoil-which it is not. The question, although a very simple one, was not well answered.

Q. 46. Describe the arrangement of a system for the bacterial treatment of sewage, and state the conditions under which the microorganisms discharge their functions.

The answers to this question were very uneven and in a large number of cases distinctly bad. A large number confused the biological methods, as usually understood, with broad irrigation and intermittent downward filtration; others added chemicals to the sewage. On the whole, the question was indifferently answered.

HONOURS.

Results 1st Class, - ; 2nd Class, 5; Failed, 17; Total, 22.

For the first part of the examination twenty-two papers were sent in. Of these five obtained the minimum number of marks, but had still to qualify in the practical part of the examination. Only three candidates obtained marks above the minimum. On the whole, the answers were not of so high an order as those sent in in former years. Some of those students who competed would hardly have passed Stage 2, and in one or two cases there is evidence of a want of the general education and knowledge necessary as a foundation for any high honours in a very special and technical subject.

The following remarks apply only to the papers.

Q. 61. Discuss the hygienic importance of the presence in water of each of the following constituents: protozoa, nitrites, excess of nitrates, excess of lime and magnesia salts, excess of chlorides, insoluble mineral matter in suspension.

All the candidates attempted this question, except two. Only two obtained really good marks or gave anything like complete answers.

Q. 62. Describe the origin and different composition of soils and subsoils. Discuss the conditions which influence the healthiness or unhealthiness of various soils.

The same remarks apply to this question as to the preceding one. The answers, in the large majority of cases, were very short and sketchy.

Q. 63. What points would you take into consideration when deciding whether or not a sewage effluent was fit to be discharged into a stream? Describe how you would estimate volumetrically the nitrogen in an effluent.

This question was indifferently answered by nearly all the students. Few gave correct replies to the last part of the question, and a large number simply stated a method for ascertaining the nitric acid in a sample of water. They took into no account the nitrogen in the free ammonia or nitrous acid.

Q. 64. Explain the principle and use of the mercurial barometer, and point out the corrections which are necessary when the most exact readings of the barometer are required.

The

This question was a favourite one, but was answered badly. corrections for temperature and height above sea-level were omitted or wrongly expressed.

Q. 65. What do you understand by the term "standard death-rate"? Describe precisely the method of obtaining the comparative mortality figure for any county or large urban district.

This was not a favourite question, and very few who attempted it showed any knowledge of the meaning of the term or how it is obtained.

Q. 66. What is the definition of "Alkali works"? Mention the chief provisions of the Alkali, &c., Works Regulation Act, 1881. This question was attempted by only five students, and of these only one had any knowledge of the Act or its chief provisions.

HONOURS PRACTICAL EXAMINATION.

The practical examination this year was on much the same lines as that given in the years 1904 and 1905. Five students presented themselves for this part of the examination. The results are very satisfactory and, when compared with last year, the work done is far better in every way. All the students were more or less familiar with the technique of practical work, while some had an excellent knowledge of the subject.

The candidates appear to have had a good training in the technical colleges, and this has widened the practical side of the subject and imparted a larger interest to it. The difference in the work and knowledge shown by the students this year compared with what was found two years ago when the examination was first established is really remarkable and is most satisfactory in every way.

Q. 1.

Submit the sample of water marked A to qualitative (including physical characters) and quantitative examination, so as to pass an opinion as to the fitness of the water for drinking and cooking

purposes.

The reasons for your opinion and the methods by which you arrive at those reasons must be briefly stated in your report.

N.B.-The total solids of the water and the oxygen required to oxidize organic matter need not be estimated.

All the candidates attempted this question. Two of the students made a good analysis of the sample of water. As a rule the qualitative examination was not well done. The majority of the candidates relied too much on their notes.

In the quantitative analysis the free and albuminoid ammonia, the chlorine and hardness were attempted with varying success.

In their report the candidates did not bring their knowledge to bear on the results obtained, and in some cases failed to express any opinion. The interpretation of their results is in all cases a very important feature in an examination of this kind and should receive more attention than appears to have been given to it.

Q. 2. Determine the amount of gluten in the sample of flour marked B; express the result as a percentage.

The water is 16 per cent. and the ash is 0'4 per cent. Report on the quality of the flour,

Of those who attempted this question only one gave an approximate result. The report also was indifferent. The students were not well prepared in the technique necessary to make this analysis.

Q. 3. Name the parasites shown under the microscopes 1, 2 and 3; give a brief account of their life-histories; and describe the symptoms which they produce in the human body.

Three candidates attempted this question. Two gave fairly satisfactory replies as to the names of the parasites, but failed to describe the life-history or the symptoms which the parasites produce in the human body. On the whole the question was not well answered.

/DAY EXAMINATION.
STAGE 1.

Results 1st Class, 89; 2nd Class, 136; Failed, 6; Total, 231. This year, for this part of the examination, 231 papers were sent in. Of these, 38 per cent. obtained a First Class, 58 per cent. a Second Class, and 2 per cent. failed. This result is extremely satisfactory, and compares favourably with last year. The whole of the papers are distinctly above the average. There certainly is such a marked improvement in the papers that it is evident there has been much more systematic teaching, and the instruction given has been such that the students understood it and took an interest in the subject,

The following remarks have reference to this part of the examination.

ELEMENTARY HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY.

Q. (a) Give a general account of the structure of the lungs, and of the parts by which these communicate with the air.

The majority of candidates attempted this question, giving good and accurate replies illustrated by some excellent diagrams.

Q. (6) Where and how is the gastric juice formed? What are its composition and uses?

This was not a favourite question. When attempted, the answers were good as a whole.

Q. (c) What bones form the shoulder-joint? Compare its structure with that of the hip-joint.

The first part of this question was well done, but many candidates broke down when they came to compare the general structure and arrangement of the shoulder with the hip-joint.

Q. (d) Give a short description of the heart and its mechanism.

A very favourite question, usually well answered and satisfactorily illustrated.

HYGIENE.

Q. 1. State how water may be contaminated after it enters a dwelling from the street main, and how such pollution can be prevented. The general run of answers to this question was good, and in not a few cases the replies showed a comprehensive grasp of the practical points raised by the question.

Q. 2. What do you understand by temporary and permanent hardness of water? How may temporary hardness of water be removed?

Nearly every candidate replied to this. Some of the answers were very good, the writers evidently having a competent grasp of the chemistry of the subject.

Q. 3. What is meant by "natural ventilation," and upon what physical laws does it depend?

This subject had evidently been well taught, nearly all the answers to this question being clear and accurate.

Q. 4. What are the essential objects of cooking processes? Explain the changes which meat and bread undergo respectively when baked. In this question candidates found an old friend and a congenial subject on which to write. Judging by the answers generally, this topic had been well taught.

Q. 5. What is the average composition of milk? Why is milk the best food for young children?

One of the most noteworthy features of this examination was the manner in which this question was handled. One was surprised to see the accuracy of the figures quoted.

Q. 6. Describe the conditions which cause dampness in house-walls. What preventive measures would you advise?

This was a favourite question; some of the illustrations being very good. Q. 7. What are the important points to bear in mind in dealing with the storage and disposal of house refuse?

Here again candidates found an easy and congenial subject on which to write. The greater number of replies were distinctly good.

Q. 8. What is the value of exercise in development, and to what particular objects should such exercise be directed in school life? What forms of exercise are best adapted to meet these particular objects?

One expected to find this question indifferently handled. On the contrary, when attempted, and that was fairly often, it was wonderfully well done. In fact, it was one of the most satisfactory features in the whole examination, as it could not be readily answered from the ordinary text books, but needed some reflection and initiative on the part of candidates.

Q. 9. How would you distinguish between an epileptic fit and a fainting fit? Indicate the nature of the first aid you would give in each

case.

This question was not such a favourite as one expected to find it; but when attempted was invariably well done.

Judging this Stage 1 (Day) Examination as a whole, the papers submitted were distinctly good, and far better than those of some previous years.

STAGE 2.

Results 1st Class, 48; 2nd Class, 188; Failed, 37; Total, 273.

For this part of the examination 273 papers were sent in. Of these, 17 per cent. obtained a First Class, 68 per cent. a Second Class, and 13 per cent. failed.

On the whole, the examination in Hygiene may be said to be satisfactory; perhaps the papers in the Elementary Human Physiology were not quite so good, though many excellent answers were given. It should be impressed on students before commencing their papers, to carefully read through the questions they propose to answer. That they had not done so in all cases is shown by the numbers who attempted Questions 21 and 30. In the

former, domestic filtration and cisterns for the storage of water were discussed, while in the latter the isolation of the patient and nursing were entered into. These answers were good, but they had no reference to the questions in the paper.

The following remarks have reference to this part of the examination.

ELEMENTARY HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY.

Q. (a) Describe the difference between an artery and a vein, and explain how these differences affect the circulation of the blood.

Nearly every candidate attempted this question, and many excellent answers were given; but a few were quite ignorant of the difference between an artery and a vein.

Q. (b) Describe the position, form, general structure, and function of the stomach.

This question was a very favourite one, and the replies to it were, as a rule, good. The students have been carefully and well instructed on the processes of the digestion of food, etc.

Q. (c) What bones go to make up the foot and ankle? Describe briefly the human foot, and show its special adaptation to the act of walking.

Comparatively few attempted this question, but those who did gave excellent answers.

Q. (d) Where is the spleen placed in the body? What is its shape, general structure, and appearance?

Many candidates attempted this question, and some excellent answers were given. In point of fact, some of the answers were surprisingly good, and show a well-grounded knowledge of the subject.

HYGIENE.

Q. 21. State in detail the method usually adopted for the purification of water from rivers, springs, etc. Explain the action that takes

place in such method, and how the water should be stored after purification and before delivery.

Every student attempted this question, and in the large majority of cases the answers were good. Many, however, were unfamiliar with the action that takes place in sand filtration; others entered into the question of domestic filtration by means of the Chamberland filter, although the question referred to water "before delivery" to the consumer. Comparatively few gave a good description of a service reservoir or stated how water should be stored after filtration. A few suggested that it was stored in the water mains.

Q. 22. How is the amount of pollution of air in a crowded space estimated, and why is the amount of carbon dioxide always taken into account?

This question brought very few good answers. A very large number attributed poisonous qualities to the small amount of carbon dioxide present in the air, and only a few grasped the idea that it is taken as an index of organic impurity. On the whole, the question was indifferently answered.

Q. 23. What is meant by the expressions: (a) relative humidity, (b) dew point? Describe a method of ascertaining the dew-point.

This was a favourite question. Comparatively few gave a correct definition of relative humidity, although nearly all were familiar with the dew-point. In many cases the last part of the question was indifferently answered.