Volume 1
A textbook of pathology : systematic & practical.
- Hamilton, David James.
- Date:
- 1889-94
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A textbook of pathology : systematic & practical. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
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![THE PROCESS OF HARDENING TISSUES 35. AVe have already (Chap. III.) seen how to examine the tissue microscopically when fresh. In order to proceed to its further microscopic examination, it is necessary to employ some reagent which will render it easier to cut into thin sections, which will make it impervious to media of different densities in which it may be mounted, and which will bring its histological elements better into view. Experience teaches that in hardening pathological tissues only a few reagents are necessary. 36. Reagents.—It is very difficult, much more so than in normal his- tology, to say what media are the best for hardening particular morbid tissues, but the following general rules will be found serviceable as a guide. (I) If the tissue is tough, such as a scirrhous tumour, a cirrhotic liver or kidney, or a myoma; or if it is to be stained with logwood or an aniline dye, harden in spirit. (2) If it is of delicate texture, such as a myxomatous sarcoma, an oedematous fibrous tissue, brain, or spinal cord, place it in Muller’s fluid alone, or this, followed in three weeks or so by si>irit. Muller’s fluid preparations also stain well with log- wood. (3) If it be a preparation of the retina, employ a mixture of Muller’s fluid and spirit. (4) In a few diseases of the lung, such as emphysema and anthracosis, employ a solution of chromic acid. It will be necessary, however, to mention in detail what individual mor- bid tissues are to be hardened in when we come to their systematic description, and in order to save repetition, each reagent will be desig- nated by a letter (A, B, C, etc.). Solution A.—Methylated Sjnrit. This, it must be remembered, is not absolute alcohol, but can be made nearly absolute by the addition of a little dry carbonate of ])otash. Solution B.—Absolute Alcohol. Solution C.—Muller’s Fluid. Potassic Bichromate . . . grm. 45. Sodic Sulphate .... grm. 20. Water 2 litres.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b24990607_0001_0082.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)


