McGill University Thèses et mémoires publiés en 1944

This study was undertaken in an attempt to make a survey of the parasites of the common frog of Quebec, Rana pipiens. Many investigations of single groups of entozoa, found in amphibia of North America, have been made. There are, however, fewer complete studies of single hosts. The following work is based on Rana pipiens; animals from two localities being used. The following report consists simply of a description of the parasites and the part of the body in which they were found.  Lire la suite

The shortage of edible fats and oils in Canada following the out break of war became critical during the latter part of 1942 and early 1943. Since linseed oil is the only vegetable oil produced in appreciable quantities in Canada, this study was projected to investigate the possibility of utilizing it in the manufacture of an edible shortening. Complete hydrogenation to a stearin would allow the use of small proportions in blending with low-melting fats, but could provide only for the use of very limited amounts. Attempts to use a partially hydrogenated linseed oil (having suitable physical properties for a …  Lire la suite

[...]Varieties of crop plants are usually tested inreplicated trials at different stations over a period ofyears before being released to growers or rejected. Theresults of each of these variety tests, which are generallycarried in randomized blocks or in latin squares, when thenumber of varieties is not too large, are usually submittedindependently to statistical analysis in order to test theintervarietal differences against the appropriate estimateof error.An examination of the results of two or more ofthese tests, carried with the same varieties of the samecrop during one season at different localities, oftenindicate differential behaviour at two or more localities.Similarly, an analysis of …  Lire la suite

In 1940 an investigation of gaseous fluorides was undertaken in this laboratory as part of a search for new toxic respirator penetrants. A sample of supposedly pure sulphur hexafluoride, prepared by the passage of fluorine over sulphur, was found to be surprisingly toxic to mice. Fractionation of the gas yielded about 1% of a high molecular weight impurity, identified as disulphur decafluoride, S2F10, which proved to be the toxic ingredient. Importantly enough, lethal concentrations for small animals were odourless. Studies on the toxicity of S2F10 have been reported by Noble (1) and Geiling (2). [...] The work was therefore concentrated …  Lire la suite

Activated Morden Bentonite has been investigated as a vapour-phase catalyst for the decomposition of three butanediols and butanediol-2,3 diacetate. Butanediol-2,3 at low temperatures gave 85 per cent yields of butanone-2, with isobutyraldehyde and the isobutyral of butanediol-2,3 as by-products. At high temperatures, gaseous decomposition occurred producing small yields of butadiene increasing to 14.9 per cent in the presence or water vapour. Butanedlol-2,3 diacetate gave chiefly acetic acid, butanone-2, and butadiene. Highest yields (57.5 per cent) of the diene were obtained at low temperatures and at fast feed-rates. Butanediol-1,4 at low temperatures gave practically theoretical yields of tetrahydrofuran. At high temperatures, …  Lire la suite

The comparatively slow development of the milk powder industry can probably be attributed to the many difficulties involved in the economic manufacture of whole milk powder of high quality. While occasional new processes were invented and patents granted, the commercial production of milk powder dates back only to the closing years of the nineteenth century. However despite the many improvements\ in processing since that time, whole milk powder is still a relatively unstable product. The greatly increased demand because of the war has again focused attention on the difficulties involved in the preparation of a product which would resist the …  Lire la suite

Our knowledge of the hypophysis cerebri orpituitary gland dates back to the early anatomists.Cilen, who considered that the gland acted as a filterfor the mucous fluid of the brain which was secreted insome way into the naso-pharynx,adopted the name glandulapituitaria. It is interesting to note that the name haspersisted to the present although the early theory of itsfunction has been discarded. These ideas of the specificfunction of the pituitary were based on theoreticalspeculation and observation rather than experimental experienceand consequently were not easily corrected.Other theories of its function were upheld from time totime, but they did not threaten the theory …  Lire la suite

This thesis calls for some explanation of its scope, magnitude, authenticity, and the circumstances prevalent at the time it was written. The reasons for the explanatory remarks should npt be difficult to appreciate since almost all of the proposals put forth in the concluding chapter are as yet in the speculative stage, and, in addition, many of the proposals, to this writer's knowledge, are original. Since so many individuals and organizations are engaged in postwar planning, we may expect there to be some similarity in the various proposals put forth.[...]  Lire la suite

A kinetic study of the alkaline hydrolysis of RDX and RMX permitted the establishment of a method for routine analysis of HMX in RDX(B), the accuracy of the method being +/- O.2 percent HMX. The yields of RDX, in a Bachmann reaction, are decreased by dilution, by decrease of temperature, by use of deficiencies of any of the reagents and by excesses of nitric acid. The optimal conditions in RDX production are different for each temperature and concentration. The rates of RDX formation are increased with increase of temperature, decrease of dilution, and increase of concentrations of aoetio anhydride and …  Lire la suite

In an effort to find a diet suitable for vitamin C bio-assay, 22 different rations were tested on 160 pregnant guinea pigs. Successful reproduction was used as an index of the nutritional adequacy of each ration. When fresh green feed was included in the rations, 80% of the pregnancies resulted in the birth of at least one living young. There was an average of 3.2 pigs weaned per litter for this group or 2.7 pigs weaned per pregnancy. Hemorrhage or abortion resulted due to the nutritional inadequacy of the other rations tested.  Lire la suite

Winkler, C. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Winkler, C. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Investigati ons "Were carried ou t in the field of polymethylene nitramine ohemistry. Fifteen new polymethylene nitramine compounds were prepared. their struotures, along with that of BSI, eluaidated, and their reaotions studied. RDX was degra.ded for the first time into an ieolableaoyalia polymethylene nitramine.From the study of the ohemistry of polymethylene nitramines. a new fundamental conoept in the eleotronio interpretation of organic chemistry is presented. The concept is applied to a study of thepolymethylene amine, and the polymethylene nitrarnine amine systems. the reactions of hexamine being thus explained.A new mechanism for the formation of RDX in the Baahmann reaction is …  Lire la suite

[...] The writer's problem was the synthesis of the dihydroxyacetone, 1,3-dihydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -2-propanone (VIII) or simple more stable derivatives such as the triacetate, l,3-diacetoxy-l-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -2-propanone (IX) and an investigation of their properties to determine whether such compounds might give rise to the diketone (II) under typical wood ethanolysis conditions. This was of considerable interest in that the ene-diol form of (VIII), namely R-C(OH)=C(0H)-CH20H (R=4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) is both a dioxy derivative of coniferyl alcohol and a trioxy derivative of isoeugenol.  Lire la suite

[...] The rates of transition of <X H.M.X. and B H.M.x. have been studied between 25°C. and 145°C. in several solvents. The transition temperature has been found to lie between l00°C. and ll5°C. The rate and direction of polymorphic transition depend on the temperature; at constant terJ.perature the rate depends on the solvent employed, and the presence or absence of certain salt catalysts. Spontaneous initiation of a polymorphia change may take place only in a limited number of liquids, which are not necessarily the best solvents for H.M.X.[...]  Lire la suite

A more thorough investigation or the density or charcoal by liquid displacement than any reported to date has been undertaken, employing a wider variety or liquids and a series or charcoals of varying activity. Social precautions have been taken to remove adsorbed gases from the liquids and the charcoals and to insure that all values of density were true equilibrium values. A steric hindrance by the charcoal to the penetration of the liquid has been noted and correlated with the activity of the sample. The disagreement between other investigators has been explained in the basis of this steric effect. The …  Lire la suite

At low pH, the dimer of methyl bis-β-chloroethylamine (“S”) undergoes hydrolysis of its β-chlorines at a rate independent of dimer concentration (SNl mechanism).This dimer reacts with S203= in a second order reaction, one S203= replacing one Cl-. (SN2 mechanism) In acetone-water, “S” dimerizes at a rate independent of “S” concentration. With increasing water concentration, a simultaneous increase in E and rate occurs. At low temperatures dimerization is the main reaction with some hydrolysis. The hydrolysis of the SH+ ion in a variety of acids in excess shows inhibition by both H+ and Cl-. Mechanisms are proposed for the reactions studied. …  Lire la suite

The minimum detonation temperature of dextrjn and service azide is sharply critical (within 1°C.) for a given batch., and may be raised by compression, wetting with butyl phthalate, or increasing the surface/volume ratio of the charge contain er. Large single crystals of lead azide have a lower minimum detonation temperature than have smaller crystals. These facts indicate that self-heating is a factor in the detonation of lead azide, the rate and amount of self-heat being influenced by the inter-particle thermal conductivity of the charge sample. The induction periods preceding detonation at a given temperature are reproducible within experimental error, precludin~ …  Lire la suite

A review of the literature concerning the effect of the adrenal cortices upon carbohydrate metabolism revealed that, while the concensus of opinion was that a corticoid must possess an oxygen atom at C 11 in order to effect carbohydrate metabolism, there was some evidence that DCA also possessed some ‘carbohydrate activity’, but that its action was a slow and cumulative one of long duration. The experiments reported in this thesis have shown that, under certain conditions, pretreatment with DCA would cause a deposition of glycogen in the livers of adrenalectomized mice. This was interpreted as meaning that DCA possesses carbohydrate …  Lire la suite

It is well at the outset to attempt a definition of terms. But the task of adequately defining most literary forms is not an easy one. Professor W. P. Ker, dealing with the “ballad” before the British Academy got around the difficulty neatly by saying: “In spite of Socrates and his logic, we may venture to say, in answer to the question ‘What is a ballad? - A ballad is The Milldams of Binnorie and Sir Patrick Spens and The Douglas Tragedy and Lord Randal and Childe Maurice, and things of that sort.” Taking a cue from the professor, we …  Lire la suite

Three polymers were aged in several solvents at 6o 0c·with varying amounts of iron chloride added, in the presence of and absence of oxygen. The results showed that the phenomenon of viscosity instability is of a general nature, occurring with all polymers in all the solvents. Dissolved oxygen reacts with the polymers causing viscosity decreases. Iron salts catalyze this reaction, and also combine chemically with the polymer to cause viscosity increases and gel formation. That the above changes are due to a change in molecular weight of the polymers has been demonstrated by measurement of the intrinsic viscosities of recovered …  Lire la suite

The seasonal trend of the digestibility of young mixed pasture herbage by steers and sheep, and its chemical composition are reported. A definite seasonal trend of the digestibility of the herbage studied cannot be established, at least for regions where climatic conditions are as variable from year to year as they are at Macdonald College. The digestibility of artificially dried herbage was not changed after six months storage. None of the chemical entities studied gave any indication of nutritive value, and crude fibre and crude protein may be very misleading if used as indices of nutritive value for mixed pasture …  Lire la suite

It is an unusual privilege to be able to study a subject which is one of signal interest and considerable value to the field of education, and yet has been left almost untouchted by students of the history of education in Canada. This prebent thesis is rnarked by all three of the characterictics mentioned. Keeping the last point in mind, the writer has had an objective from the beginning of the study· of searching out as much of the evidence as can be discovered with "the hope tta t, l1owever liiany limitations this present study may have, there will be …  Lire la suite

Between 1860 and 1870 an American, Seth Green, established the first fish-rearing station somewhere in the Eastern States. From this small beginning, pisciculture has become an industry of national importance. McCay of Cornell University and Davis of the United States Bureau of Fisheries have clarified many problems pertaining to fish culture and nutrition. The food of wild trout varies with the locality, the season, and the age of the fish, but it consists mainly of the larvae of various insects such as the dragonfly or caddis fly and crayfish (l). Species’ differences play a part in food selection; for example, …  Lire la suite

Thomson, D. (Supervisors)  Lire la suite

The most important form of fat spoilage is oxidative rancidity, produced by the action of atmospheric oxygen upon the fat. The effects of oxidation on edible fats include loss of palatability, destruction of contained vitamins (the fat-soluble A, D and E), and bleaching of the natural pigments, which are often of a carotenoid nature. In addition, oxidized fats may exhibit toxic properties. It is therefore evident that the prevention and detection of oxidative rancidity are problems of considerable practical significance. An oil or fat consists of a complex mixture of glycerides, these being combinations of glycerol with saturated and unsaturated …  Lire la suite

Thomas Love Peacock was born at Weymouth in October, 1785. His father was Samuel Peacock, a glass-merchant, carrying on his trade in St. Paul’s Churchyard. Nothing of any interest seems to be known of his family or himself. That he was in business in 1768 is certain, for many years later his son, Thomas, wrote the rough copy of a farce, The Three Doctors, on the blank pages of an old account book, whose cover was marked with the words “Day Book: 1768: Saml. Peacock”. One of these pages indicates that Peacock, the author, was one day suffering from an …  Lire la suite

One of the most important post-war aims is a more adequate diet for all people. To achieve this, the production of each dietary essential will need to be carefully considered and the production of some commodities may have to be greatly increased if more people are to be adequately fed from approximately the same acreage. This investigation has sought to make cereal germs more acceptable as a human food and thereby to make available a rich source of the B-vitamins and a large amount of highest quality protein in addition to fat and vitamin E. The cereal germs have an …  Lire la suite

The problem has its origin in the empirical nature of existing methods for the chemical determination of plant lignin. It is generally recognized that the apparent lignin content of plant tissues depends largely on the pretreatments employed, and on the method and conditions of final isolation of the lignin. By using various pretreatments and carefully regulating the conditions of the final determination of lignin, methods have been developed which give reproducible results on any given tissue. However, the apparent lignin content of any particular tissue may vary greatly, depending on the method used for its determination. Consequently, an investigation of …  Lire la suite

The investigations reported in this thesis were carried out as one of the extramural problems of the Directorate of Chemical Warfare under the project number C.E.3. The project was initially planned as an investigation of various fluorine compounds, particularly the fluorides of sulphur. Attention was early focussed on S2F10 when its value as a chemical warfare agent was shown by Noble (1) and McIntosh (2), and attempts were made to discover the conditions for optimum yield of this compound with a view to commercial production. Early results at McGill showed that the reaction of gaseous fluorine and solid sulphur produced …  Lire la suite

Much of the soil of that part of Eastern Canada lying east of a line between Quebec City and Lake Champlain is acid in reaction and may be improved in productive capacity by an intelligent liming practice. A considerable part of this area has recently been surveyed and the limits of the various soil types indicated (3,16,20). The broader outlines of a liming programme now may be laid down with some degree of precision. It is the object of this investigation to make a preliminary test of the variability of; (a) Virgin soils of six of the major series represented …  Lire la suite

Development of the ethanolysis technique in these laboratories, whereby the native lignin in soft and hard woods is, in part, converted by 2^ ethanolic hydrogen chloride to simple water-soluble oils, has led to the isolation and idenrtification of the following propyl phenol derivatives: from spruce wood l-( 4-hydro xy-3-me tho xyphenyl)-2-ethoxy-l~ propanone (I) (la), l-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-l,2-propanedione (II) (lb), 1- (4-hydro xy-3-me thoxyphe ny 1)- 1-e thoxy-2-propanone (III) (lc), and l-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone (IV) (lc) have been obtained; maple wood has yielded, in addition to I, II and IV, their corresponding syringyl analogues; l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-ethoxy-l-propanone (V) (la), l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-l,2-propanedione (VI) (lb) and l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propanone (VII) (Id). [...]  Lire la suite

Murray, H. R. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Wartime shipping restrictions have resulted, during the past two years, in a scarcity of the edible oils ordinarily used in this country. The possibility of utilizing linseed oil for edible purposes is now under investigation. Linseed oil has an objectionable odor and color. The ordinary refining procedures which are applicable to edible oils do not improve the color and odor to any extent. Edible oils must also have a low free fatty acid content and good stability during storage. Deodorization removes the odor completely from raw linseed oil. However, on heating the refined and deodorized oil, off odors develop which …  Lire la suite

Findings are presented indicating the effects of nutrient solutions containing combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at different levels, on the tissues causing stringiness in celery petioles. These tissues are the collenchyma strands and the vascular bundles. High applications of nitrogen stimulated succulent growth and hence retarded maturity and development of stringiness in the collenchyma, and to a lesser extent in the vascular bundles. Phosphorus had no direct effect on stringiness. Potassium had a marked effect in increasing stringiness when applied in large amounts. The cell walls of the collenchyma strands became thicker as maturity progressed. This thickening of the …  Lire la suite

Remarkably enough, there was no such thing as a problem of moral freedom for the ancients. More remarkably still, perhaps, there was no such thing for them as the concept of will, such as we know it today# Even though some explanation can be given of the reasons which prevented the problem from arising for the thinkers of antiquity, it nevertheless remains a most remarkable fact that it did not. Upon closer examination, this fact proves itself important as it is remarkable. For the concept of moral freedom serves as the basis for a thoroughly different approach to ethics, a …  Lire la suite

Anthracnose of tomatoes is a fungus disease that manifests itself on ripe fruits. A survey of fruit diseases on the Montreal market showed it to be one of the most important of the tomato diseases. Since it is essentially a rot of ripe fruits, the principal losses occur in the retail stores. Losses caused by anthracnose have also been sustained, however, by field growers picking ripe tomatoes for the local market and for canning (McNew,1943a), A survey of the literature showed that, even though the disease was recorded as early as 1881, comparatively little was known about the life history …  Lire la suite

Although vitamin E is very widely distributed in our common foodstuffs it is found only in very low concentrations, the richest natural sources being the cereal grains and some common vegetables such as lettuce (9, 11, 14, 25). A deficiency of this vitamin in the diet is highly improbable because of its wide distribution, but very little is known about the factars affecting the absorption and utilization of vitamin E in the body. However, vitamin E therapy is being used in the treatment of threatened and habituai abortions (2, 43) and the Gouncil on Pharmacy and Ghemistry of the American …  Lire la suite

The need for an absolute method to follow the changes in viscosity shown by polyvinyl acetate in various solvents, initiated a study of osmotic methods for determining molecular weights of this polymer. A Carter-Record type of cell was found less convenient than a modified form of the Van Campen osmometer. Number average molecular weights for polyvinyl acetate determined with the latter did not agree with reasonable predictions of intrinsic viscosity measurements when Carter-Record type membranes were used. Reasonable molecular weights were obtained for Gelva 15,45,150 and 360 with caustic treated membranes.[...]  Lire la suite

The condensation of benzene with acetaldehyde has been studied in the presence of a variety of condensing agents with a view to increase the yield of 1,1-diphenylethane by means of a more effective and more economical condensing agent than concentrated sulphuric acid. The dlphenylethane is a source material for styrene useful for the manufacture of synthetic rubber and plastics. The yield of 1,1-diphenylethane from the benzene-acetaldehyde condensation has been improved from 40-50 per cent obtainable with sulphuric acid to 70 per cent with boron trifluoride.[...]  Lire la suite

The accepted emergency function of the adrenal cortex indicates the therapeutic application of the adrenal cortical hormones in conditions of stress. While the clinical aspects have received considerable attention, the results are confusing, owing mainly to the use of whole adrenal cortical extract which contains a mixture of cortical hormones several of which possess antagonistic actions. It may be assumed that, under physiological conditions, each cortical hormone is secreted independently, in amount governed by the physiological needs of the moment. Moreover, there is great variation in the relative content of the cortically active steroids in different preparations of cortical extracts …  Lire la suite

Flotation process is undoubtedly the most important development in the recovery of metals from ores that has taken place during the present century. No other method of ore treatment has ever effected such great changes in metallurgical practice in so short a time. The industrial importance can be emphasized best by considering the non-ferrous metal mining industry. At the period under question practically every mining district has witnessed almost complete exhaustion of high grade oxidized ores near the surface and often of the high grade sulphides in the so-called zones of secondary enrichment, leaving only the low grade primary sulphides …  Lire la suite

the living organism are constantly undergoing processes of destruction and of growth. These processes involve physico-chemical reactions whose end-products are either simpler compounds derived from more complex molecules, or conversely, higher compounds from lower ones: in short, the processes of catabolism and anabolism. The sum total of these reactions, from which derives the energy necessary to maintain life, constitutes metabolism. Under this term are included all the mechanisms tending to regulate the rate of these reactions; the enzyme systems, the hormones and vitamins (and these may be synonymous) 9 the nervous stimuli, and a host of other 'factors, most of …  Lire la suite

Late blight rot due to the fungus Phythopthora infestans is one of the most destructive diseases of potatoes. Losses occur in the field and in storage. An important feature of the disease is that it is frequently followed by secondary decay organisms which rot the tubers much more rapidly than does P. infestans. Tuber infections arise in several ways. It is a well established fact that spores produced on blighted vines fall to the ground through which they are washed to the surface of the young growing tubers where they germinate and initiate tuber infections. According to Link and Ramsey, …  Lire la suite

In 1940 attempts were made at McGill University to produce samples of pure sulphur hexafluoride as part of a search for possible toxic respirator penetrants (1). Surprisingly, the samples of supposedly pure hexafluoride, formed by passing fluorine over sulphur, were found to be toxic in small concentrations. Purification and fractionation of the sample resulted in the isolation of a high molecular weight component identical in properties with the compound disulphur decafluoride (S2F10 ) discovered and described by Denbigh and Whytlaw-Gray in 1934 (2,3). It was then shown that the poisonous effects exhibited by the sulphur hexafluoride were due to the …  Lire la suite

A study has been made of the lignin of forage and feces with the following results. A method has been developed for pre-extracting feces samples for the lignin determination without drying the sample. This results in a lower yield of lignin having a lower percentage of nitrogen. The methoxyl and nitrogen contents of lignin from feces have been determined and compared with those of the lignin from the forage from which the feces is derived.[...]  Lire la suite

P.H.X. was found to precipitate spontaneously in the very slow D.P.T. AcAn reaction in the absence of ammonium nitrate at 35°C. H.M.X. and by - products are formed at the same rate and in similar yields from both D.P.T. and P.H.X. at 25°, 30° and 35°0., in the presence of ammonium nitrate. 'I'he same conclusion was reached when the addition of ammonium nitrate was delayed for various lengths of time in the D.P.T.-H.M.X. reaction. It was concluded that D.P .T. yields H.M.X. through the intermediate formation of P.H.X. Conclusions were dravm as to the stability of the various bonds of …  Lire la suite

Berrill, N. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Sir WIlliam Rowan Hamilton invented quaternions in the middle of the last century; he was led to this concept by keeping geometrical applications constantly before him. Many physical applications were found, and they proved very useful in that field, until they were superseded by the cevtor analysis. [...]  Lire la suite

This thesis is a report of a vitamin C bioassayusing the maximum, height to which the odontoblastcells develop in the incisor teeth of guinea pigs asthe criterion for the state of scorbutus. Due to theremoval of a considérable part of the subjective errorprésent in other incisor tooth assay methods, highlyreproducible results were obtained by this procédure.The accuracy of the odontoblast cell measurement methodis shown to be far greater than the increase in weightcriterion,A detailed description of the préparation ofthe incisor teeth for microscopic exaraination and methodof measuring the odontoblast cells Is given.A report of the post mortem lésions found isincluded.  Lire la suite