Discovery & Invention, Period 5, 30 Jan '08

[offthelisthero.livejournal.com]

"I can't teach class today, I have a headache," Mohinder - this time wearing the more traditional white coat - said, holding a straight-face for a few seconds. "Or rather," as he put a small bottle of pills on the desk he was leaning against, "Today we'll be looking at pain relief."

"We're all wired to feel pain," continued Mohinder. "An individual warning system, without which our lives would almost certainly be much shorter. Alleviating pain takes one of three major pathways - inhibiting nerve endings at the pain site, numbing the central nervous system or local anaesthetics."

Mohinder went on to briefly touch on pain medications in general, before turning and sketching out a chemical formula on the board behind him, still talking. "Salicin was discovered as the active ingredient in willow bark, developed into salicylic acid, which was converted into sodium salicylate, before modification by a German chemist finally produced aspirin."

Looking back at the class Mohinder said, "This included testing of the experimental drugs on the chemist's father - now considered something completely unethical. You have salycilic and acetic acid on your desks, and also coats and goggles. Be sure to wear them when you use the equipment in front of you to prepare aspirin."

[OCD is up]

Comments

Re: Experiment #4

[my-names-max.livejournal.com]

Max looked for a partner; this seemed like an interesting assignment.

Re: Experiment #4

[practicaldevice.livejournal.com]

"Anathema Device." The girl introduced herself. "This sounds really cool."

Re: Experiment #4

[my-names-max.livejournal.com]

"Max Guevara," she replied. "Yeah, it really does."

She might have been considering if she could make her own tryptophan since she'd run out eventually.

Re: Experiment #4

[practicaldevice.livejournal.com]

"Gloves and goggles?" Anathema asked as she searched around, a huge grin on her face.

Re: Experiment #4

[my-names-max.livejournal.com]

"Seems like a good idea," Max agreed, helping her look.

Re: Experiment #4

[practicaldevice.livejournal.com]

A quick search came up with two pairs of both and Anathema handed one pair over to Max. "Let's see ... " She glanced around the table. "I think we have everything we need."

Re: Experiment #4

[my-names-max.livejournal.com]

Max surveyed their work station as she put on her gloves and goggles. "Looks like it."

Re: Experiment #4

[practicaldevice.livejournal.com]

"Do you want to do the mixing, measuring, or pouring?"

Re: Experiment #4

[my-names-max.livejournal.com]

"I've got a good for getting exact measurements," Max said.

Re: Experiment #4

[practicaldevice.livejournal.com]

"Okay then! Measure out, and I'll combine."

Re: Experiment #4

[my-names-max.livejournal.com]

Max read over the instructions and measured out the ingredients. "Okay, what's next?"