Read and discuss the text. Underline any words that you do not know. Use a dictionary

DANYLO ZABOLOTNY (1866—1920)

A part of science which people don't often realize is the courage of those scientists who willingly sacrifice their own lives for the benefit of mankind. There was an example of such courage in our country at the end of the last century. During the 1890s a young doctor named Danylo Zabolotny was carrying out a research with cholera germs at the University of Kyiv. He was trying to develop a vaccine that could be used to pro­tect against the disease. To prove its value the young doctor and one of his assistants — Т.Н. Savchenko — tested the vaccine on themselves. First they swallowed the new vaccine. Then they injected themselves with cholera germs. The vaccine was a success, proved by the courage of the man who had developed it. Danylo Zabolotny was a famous microbiologist who devoted his life to science.

2. Rearrange the statements in the order as they occur in the text. (Give numbers.)

1. The vaccine was a success, proved by the courage of the man who had developed it. 2. To prove its value the young doctor and one of his assistants — Т.Н. Savchenko — tested the vaccine on themselves. 3. A part of science which people don't often realize it's the courage of those scientists who willingly sac­rificed their own lives for the benefit of mankind. 4. During the 1890s a young doctor named Danylo Zabolotny was carrying out a research with cholera germs at the University of Kyiv. 5. First they swallowed the new vaccine. 6. Danylo Zabo­lotny was a famous microbiologist who devoted his life to science. 7. There was an example of such courage in our country at the end of the last century. 8. He was trying to develop a vaccine that could be used to protect the disease. 9. Then they injected themselves with cholera germs.

Text 3

1. Read the information about A. Fleming:

a) underline any words that you do not know;

b) use a dictionary to translate them;

c) abridge the text by writing out only topical sentences;

d) get ready to speak about the important achievements and discoveries of Fleming.

ALEXANDER FLEMING

Alexander Fleming (1881—1955) came from a Scottish family of farmers. He was born in August, 1881, at Lochfield Farm, the youngest of eight chil­dren. He did research work at St. Mary's Hospital under Almroth Wright, pioneer of vaccine therapy, and became interested in bacterial action and anti­bacterial drugs. After military service, during which he was able to make further studies of the problems of infections and use of antiseptics, Fleming returned to laboratory work. He was interested in antibacterial tissues.

The first fruit of his search was the discovery of the lusoryme. His epochal discovery in 1928, of antibacterial powers of the mould from which peni-cillin is derived, was a great triumph. He found that a liquid mould culture, which he named penicillin, prevented growth of staphylococci. He died on March 11 1955 in London, and was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. He is known as the "father of antibiotics" and the brilliant medical student.

When he was fourteen Alec left home and went to live in London with his brother. Alec did not want to leave his happy country life, he would have liked to make farming his career. But his mother decided to send him to the Polytechnic School in London. Fleming also, shot, swam, and played water polo for the regi­ment. But he was never sent with the regiment to South Africa.

Fleming had to pass an examination before he could be allowed to enter a school of medicine. He took a few lessons and then sat for the exam. He passed on top, and became one of the most brilliant students the hospital had ever had. "When he is in a good humour, he is likely to give you a good mark", his teachers would say.

2. Fill in the suitable words. Try to work from memory:

1. A. Fleming was interested in bacterial... and antibacterial....

2. His epochal... in 1928, of antibacterial powers of the mould from which penicillin is derived, was a great....

3. A. Fleming is known as the "father of

Text 4

1. Read the text closely, define the main thought of each paragraph. Com­pose questions to each paragraph and be ready to answer your partner's ques­tions.

H. BOERHAAVE

Herman Boerhaave of Leiden lived from 1668 to 1738. He was a Newton's contempo­rary.

As a student he became interested in mathe­matics and other sciences and on receiving the degree of doctor of philosophy in 1690, went on to take the M.D. in 1693. At first he was not successful and began to work as a teacher, giv­ing lessons in mathematics. He also continued his various studies, paying particular attention to chemistry. At the age of 32 he became a lec­turer in the university, and delivered lectures on the theory and practice of medicine. He found that many students were deficient in scientificknowledge and so began to give private courses in mathematics, mechanics, phys­ics and chemistry. In 1709 he became professor of medicine and botany, in 1714 he also became professor of the practice of physics, physician to St. Augustine's Hospital and rector of the University. At the age of 50, he took' on the duties of the chair of chemistry as well.

For the next twenty years he remained in more or less complete control of teaching in medicine and the associated sciences. Boerhaave's reputation stood very high indeed during his lifetime and for many years afterwards. Something of this became known from the various anecdotes. A letter from the Far East ad­dressed simply to "M. D. Boerhaave, Physician in Europe" was delivered without difficulty.

His medical works were read by Japanese in their Latin originals, and he was in correspondence with the Dutch and obtained seeds for his studies of plants and for the development of the university botanic garden.

After Newton died in 1727 Boerhaave's name became the greatest among liv­ing men of science.

One of his main aims was to raise the status of chemistry to that of the ac­cepted academical sciences. In his theory he was concerned largely with inorga­nic materials and with physical chemistry and equally with vegetable, animal and mineral materials and with their physiological effects and importance in medical practice.

The Boerhaave's work on heat was also of great importance.

Fahrenheit of Amsterdam not only made special thermometers for this work but carried out some of the measurements for him. It is thus through Boerhaave that Fahrenheit scale became familiar and is still in use in many countries.

Of greater importance then the Fahrenheit thermometric scale was the ef­fort Boerhaave made to introduce quantitative methods of study. He gave several measurements of degrees of heat and cold produced by the solution of substances in water and especially during chemical reactions. In his experiments he demon­strated quantitative methods of study. At the time he began these demonstrations it was commonly believed that milk contained an acid, that the acid caused coagula­tion, and that to make it fluid again heat or alkalis should be used. To examine this Boerhaave took fresh cow's milk. Neither smell nor taste, nor dropping it in the eye revealed any acid or any alkalis. He then heated milk at 160° Fahrenheit and collected an aqueous liquor. It contained a yellow mass. It had a sweet and plea­sant taste, and gave no indication of the presence of acid or alkali. To demonstrate coagulation he diluted milk with a little water, brought it to the boiling point, and to portions of it added various mineral acids. Each time milk coagulated. Milk, he said, contained only little salt.

This is not an isolated example. Similar examinations were made of urine, blood, serum, egg albumen and other materials.

The full significance of Boerhaave's chemistry teaching was studied in many ways, especially in Scotland, France and Germany.

2. Fill in the suitable words. Try to work from memory:

1. At the age of 32 H. Boerhaave became a... in the University.

2. One of Boerhaave's main aims was to raise the status of... to that of the accepted academical sciences.

3. After Newton died in 1727 Boerhaave's name became the greatest among living men of....

3. Match the beginnings and endings of the sentences.

1. First antibiotic was discovered a) with cholera germs

2. Kyiv National Medical University b) takes its name after Bohomolets

3. D. Zabolotny carried out research c) field surgery

4. M. Pyrohov became a Doctor of Medical d) with Newton

Science e) by Fleming

5. H. Boerhaave was a contemporary f) at 22

6. Pyrohov in first created a new g) to raise the status of Chemistry

7. One of Boerhaave's main aims was

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