McGill University Thèses et mémoires publiés en 1945

Measurements have been made of detonation velocities with an error not exceeding -0.5 per cent, using a rotating drum camera, in conjunction with a Jones and Lamson comparator. Study of the effect of cavity diameter on the rate of detonation of tubular charges of DINA has shown that with a cavity diameter of 3.2 mm. the detonation is about 4 per cent greater than with solid charges, while with larger diameter cavities there is a steady decrease in velocity of detonation from the value for a 3.2 mm. diameter cavity. tentative explanation, based on sensitization of the explosive inside the …  Read more

The Home and School movement is widely known throughout Canada as a non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-commercial voluntary educational agency engaged chiefly in the promotion of home-school co-operation in the training of children. It has, roughly, thirteen hundred local units in connection with public and, to some extent, private schools, chiefly at the elementary and secondary levels. Its members are parents and teachers of the children attending these schools, plus a few other interested persons including, in some instances, school board members, representatives of other community agencies, and parents of children of pre-school age. The Canada and Newfoundland Education Association, in …  Read more

With the discovery of the remarkable chemotherapeutic properties of penicillin, considerable interest has arisen in finding and developing other antibacterial substances produced by microorganisms. The yellow colouring matter of Penicillium citrinum exerts considerable antibacterial activity against Gram-positive organisms in vitro. However, it is not active in vivo. The purpose of this investigation was to produce derivatives of citrinin that would not be inactivated in vivo. It was also hoped that some information concerning the mode of action of antibacterial substances might be obtained. New antibiotics are being constantly isolated from natural sources. Several metabolism solutions from new organisms were investigated …  Read more

This thesis is not an addition to the overwhelming number of guide-books to the town of Quebec. Nor is it a survey of Canadian history in the seventeenth century. All I have tried to do here is to make an impartial study of the life and growth of Quebec from 1608 to 1703, and to reach my own conclusions on the genuine importance of the town. My research has necessarily been confined to sources located in Canada. This means that many documents which might have thrown light on Quebec’s importance to France and to the French West Indies have been …  Read more

The initial stimulus to the search for microorganisms which produce therapeutically effective antibacterial compounds was given when Fleming discovered penicillin in 1929. Clinical and laboratory studies have shown that penicillin is usually as active in vivo as it is in vitro against a large number of Grampositive bacteria. The therapeutic value of this antibacterial compound has its limitations, however, in that it is quite ineffective in combatting diseases which are produced by Gramnegative bacteria. A search for a new microbiologically produced antibacterial compound, complementary to penicillin, was initiated as soon as the limitations of penicillin therapy were realized. As a …  Read more

Smith, F. (Supervisor)  Read more

The discovery of the insecticidal properties of D.D.T. (2, 2 bis parachlorophenyl 1, 1, 1, trichlorethane) revealed tremendous possibilities for its use in the control of mosquitos, bedbugs, lice, roaches and many other insect pests. It was found, however, by several groups of workers in the United States, Great Gritain, and Canada, that D.D.T. was toxic to laboratory animals, which meant that it had to be used very cautiously until all aspects of its toxicity to mammals (maximum tolerated dosages, possible cumulative or carcinogenic effects etc.) had been thoroughly investigated. The acute effects of single toxic doses of D.D.T. on …  Read more

About seven hundred specimens have been collected and examined. They belong to six genera, Lingulops, Lingulasma, Trigonoglossa, Pseudolingula, Lingula and Ectenoglossa, the latter new. Nineteen new species are described and figures and notes are given of four previously described species which were represented in the collection. In addition, six of Billings’ species were restudied. A bibliography of the American species since 1915 is included.  Read more

The meehanisn of RDX formation in the Baohm.ann reaction has been investigated. from two distinct not experimental points of view. The first approach was made by substituting amine nitrates for the ammonium nitrate, by withholding the ammonium nitrate and by adding ammonium or amine ni tra tea in the later stages of the reaction. .Ammonium nitrate is not unique in its funtion; nearly all amine nitrates generate some RDX whm substituted for ammonium nitrate in the Bachman reaction, although never in yields greater than one mole per mole of hexamine. The belated addition of an amine nitrate, unlike the belated …  Read more

This investigation was undertaken in an attempt to prepare an explosive with certain satisfactory plastic and adhesive properties. It seemed most likely that these properties would be obtained in a nitrated polymeric compound. The polyamides of succinic, malic, and tartaric acids were prepared, and the products of their nitration were investigated. It was found that a satisfactory succinic acid - ethylene diamine polymer could be prepared, and could easily be nitrated. The product, though possessive of detonating qualities, was not adequately stable for use as a military explosive. DiffiCulties were encountered in the preparation of satisfactory polymers from maliC and …  Read more

Ever since the recognition of mitosis as the mechanism of nuclear division, its importance in biological development, whether normal growth and reproduction or pathological production of tumours and cancers, has led to a great deal of inquiry into its nature. The manner or treatment at any period was determined, to a large extent, by the available techniques of investigation and, to a lesser but still important degree, by the facility with which known and utilizable material lent itself to a given type of approach. Accordingly, early research workers concentrated their attack upon the morphology of mitosis, a study which now …  Read more

The launching of a vast synthetic rubber procram following the loss early in the Pacific war of the United Nations' source of natural rubber, led to an exhaustive investigation of all possibJe methods for the production of butadiene (1). One of the avenues of approach was that of high temperature, vapor-phase catalysis. By this means, the production of olefins, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, and the carrying out of a variety of other types of organic reactions has been accomplished. It has believed that this type of reaction might be a fruitful source of both butadiene and styrene, the chief components …  Read more

A kinetic study of RDX formation by the direct nitrolysls of hexamine indicates strongly that nitracidium ion is the active nitrolyzing agent. The rate of nitrolysis increases rapidly as the molar ratio of nitric acid to hexamine is increased, and continues to do so after the molar ratio is raised above that required for maximum yields. An upper limit to the initial rate exists at extremely high molar ratios. Maximum yields of RDX are obtainable with nitric acid of all concentrations down to 88 per cent if sufficient nitric acid is used. [...]  Read more

The morphology, both normal and pathological, of the kidney has been widely investigated. Pathologists, biochemists, physiologists, pharmacologists, and more recently, endocrinologists have all contributed much valuable information which has led to a better understanding of the structure as well as of the function of this vital organ. Many techniques and experimental approaches have been employed, and a wealth of data has been accumulated. Among these techniques may be found those of the nutritionist. Effects of both overdosages and deficiencies of numerous elements and compounds have been investigated. Unfortunately, this work has been done by so many different investigators under various …  Read more

What is humour? From what sources does it proceed, and what are its functions? These are questions which many philosophers and psychologists have endeavoured to answer, but with no unanimity of opinion. The history of the word shows us something of its origin and evolution, but is perhaps of not much value in an appraisal of humour in the world today. The word humour has had many meanings, and has grown by no sudden or simple process. Every student of English literature knows that the earliest use of the word was physiological, denoting one of the four bodily fluids which …  Read more