Methods of morbid histology and clinical pathology / by I. Walker Hall and G. Herxheimer.

  • Hall, I. Walker (Isaac Walker), 1868-
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Methods of morbid histology and clinical pathology / by I. Walker Hall and G. Herxheimer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    27/316 (page 7)
    IV. A drawing apparatus, such as that of Edinger’s, or the camera lucida of Abbe. Microtome, vide Chapter II. Micro-photographic apparatus, vide Chapter XVII. Various utensils:— Razors were more frequently used for cutting sections when fresh tissues were chiefly examined. Double knives may be used for making sections of fresh or slightly hardened objects. They yield better sections than those obtained by the simple razor, especially in the hands of a novice. Scalpels are required for various purposes. Scissors, straight and curved. Forceps of all sizes, including a pair of Cornet’s forceps for “ film ” preparations. Spatulas and needles are very necessary. Glass needles are substituted for steel needles for all metallic solutions, and when testing for iron compounds. Leather strop and a smooth stone, for sharpening razors and knives. Emery paper, for sharpening needles, etc. Slides and cover-glasses must always be kept very clean. Since, however, the silicates are being constantly decomposed, and both slides and cover- glasses are thus always coated with alkaline silicates, it is necessary to subject them to certain procedures before using them for histological purposes. A simple and reliable method is to place both slides and cover-glasses in a mixture of equal parts of 1 per cent sulphuric and chromic acids ; the former should remain in the solution for an hour, the latter for 10 minutes. Both are then rinsed in distilled water to remove the acids, and then dried on a clean linen cloth, and kept dry in a dust-proof box or in absolute alcohol. In order that used slides and cover-glasses may be again employed, a number of special methods have been recommended. Dissolve the Canada balsam by dry heat, separate the slide and cover, and treat each separately. I. Knauer’s Method.—Boil the slides or covers in an enamelled pan containing 10 per cent lysol for about half an hour. Einse in water until the water is quite clear. Dry on a clean cloth. II. Zettnow’s Method.—Prepare the following solution : Pour 2 litres of hot water over 200 gms. of chromate of potash ; add 200 c.c. of pure concentrated sulphuric acid, little by little, constantly stirring. Place slides in the solution for 2-3 days ; wash in cold water ; dry. If stains are present, wipe them with a cloth dipped in alcohol. Cover-glasses should be boiled in the solution for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. If masses of resin appear on the surface, remove them with a piece of paper. Einse with water, place in dilute caustic soda solution for 5 minutes, boil again in the special solution, wash in water, place in dilute caustic soda, then in several changes of alcohol; dry. III. Funcke’s Method.—Heat the slides or covers, previously separated by the use of turpentine, in hydrochloric acid containing a few grains of potassium chlorate in each 30 c.c. Einse in hot water. Heat in the follow- ing mixture for about half an hour, stirring repeatedly : equal parts of carbonate of soda, very small wood-shavings, and talc, made into a pulpy mass with a little water. Wash in hot water containing hydrochloric acid, then rinse in alcohol, ether, and dry. IV. A more simple, easy, and useful method is as follows Separate the slides and covers by heating the slides over a Bunsen burner. Boil the slides and covers separately for 10 minutes in a strong solution of Hudson’s dry soap. Einse in water. Boil for 10 minutes in equal parts of 1 per cent chromic and sulphuric acids ; wash in water ; rinse thoroughly in alcohol ; dry.