Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-18
WHEN STUDENTS DON'T KNOW.
Some of the Answers They Make to
Pulling Questions.
Baltimore SUM


Medical students are in the throes Of
examination time, or are entering upon
the anxious period preceding their APP
pearance before examiners, who are TO
decide their fitness for graduation. Du-
ring this period of anxiety, when minds
are strung up to their highest tension,
ludicrous slips are frequently made in
answering questions propounded by the
examiners.
Some Of these mistakes may be appre-
ciated only by the questioners, or those
familiar with technical details Of the
subjects with which their questions deaf.
Others, however may be appreciated b.
the laymen, as the answer Of a student
that music" is secreted by certain glands
in the throat. He meant no doubt,
to say mucus but many will think he
was not far from wrong, especially IN
regard to some Threats.
"To strain the blood" is a common an
swer to the question concerning the
function Of the liver.
One young man, in the course Of exami-
nation, i'm answer to a question as to
what disease the liver is most liable.
wrote oliver complaint"
Usually it is the freshmen in medical
ders in their answers. They are unac-
customed to the mode of examination,
and for the nonce lose self-possession, il
they are not actually ignorant Of the
proper answer. Rather than make COM
plete funk" some answer is written
down, and this gives the examiner relief
from the monotony of looking over end
less papers.
"Give an outline of how the bony frame
work Of the body is built up and name
some of the more important bones" was
the question put to a student
1.-The bony framework of the body IS
built up to protect the vital organs" was
the comprehensive answer. Then he
added some of the more important
bones are skull, back, shoulder hip, and
collar-bones."
A more advanced student returned from
examination Of a baby patient and re-
ported that the little one was "emanci-
pated." When asked what was meant by
that term he replied in BOwery parlance.
1.-THE baby is a tin ting" chin thing.
The patient died Of lack Of nourishment,
or hamilton, and the report Of the would
be medico was that the cause of death
was ammunition"
What is the Office and use Of the brain
in the human anatomy and to what dis
eases IS IL most lldblt. WAS Il
double-barrelled question propounded by
an examiner. The terse answer or the
student was
Seat of intelligence. apoplexy, fever"
A question in an examination on mate
ria medica was What is an alterative2'
Almost lacOnic was the answer, "A
change for the better"
"A change produced with aid Of chemi-
Gals" was the answer TO the question,
Define a chemical change" Define the
term decomposition" was asked a
student in chemistry, and he replied, In
state of decay"
Containing iron and sulphur" was the
strange answer a professor received 10
his question: What Is an antipyreucY
or, a drug to allay fever.
One bright youth was asked what he
would do II he was called to see a
patient who was sure 10 gle. I'D turn
the case over TO another physician" was
the ready response.
a similar question was asked OF an
other student, who replied: Il would
have to let him die, I suppose"
one Of the unsolved questions in medi-
cine was asked another student. well,
/ declare" he replied; cts too bad. l
know that perfectly well, but 1t has
slipped my memory just at this time"
"Indt great pity ftppOHueu inc
examiner, for you are the only man
who ever discovered the solution Of that
problem. Try TO remember it,"
Such answers would not have been out
OF place I'm the time Of John Wesley, the
founder of Methodism. He was the
author of book called Primitive Ply
sick" for ministers in his time were
bodily, as well as spiritual, healers.
Some Of the prescriptions in this volume.
which went through thirty editions, VIII
bear repetition. For violent bleeding
from the nose a piece OF white paper was
recommended to be placed under the
tongue.
To swallow a pint OF warm ale, with
an infusion distilled from warts taken
from horses leg, was the proper treat
ment for cancer Of the breast Con-
sumptives were directed 10 breathe for
fifteen minutes each morning in a hole
cut fresh in the turf.
A pint of sailed water was the sover-
eign remedy for apopiexy. Poultices OF
toasted cheese were quite the correct
thing for cuts. For cold In the head
was recommended orange-peel thrust up
the nostris.