A manual of histology / edited and prepared by Thomas E. Satterthwaite, in association with Thomas Dwight [and others].
- Date:
- 1881
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A manual of histology / edited and prepared by Thomas E. Satterthwaite, in association with Thomas Dwight [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
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![in this way. It is therefore desirable, after using the acid, to wash, thoroughly in alcohol or water. Borax carmine (Arnold’s formula).—The following method is given by Dr. M. N. Miller as the one in use by students in the histological laboratory of the New York University. It originated with Prof. J. W. S. Arnold. A saturated solution of borax is prepared in a wide-mouthed pint bottle. The borax should be in some excess. “No. 40” carmine is now added to the solution under constant agitation, until after a while it no longer dissolves, and an excess remains at the bottom of the vial, mingled with the crystals of borax. After twenty-four hours the supernatant fluid is decanted. To this clear portion f. fij. of alcohol are added, and f. 3 j. of caustic soda solution (U. S. P.). The staining solution is now ready. Or, the alco- hol may be omitted (Arnold), and the liquid evaporated to dry- ness ; the red amorphous mass is then powdered. Of this, 15 grains are placed in an ounce of water, to which f. 3 j. of alcohol is added.1 Sections, after staining, should be washed in alcohol to re- move the superfluous coloring fluid, and then transferred to a saturated solution of oxalic acid in alcohol to fix the color. The oxalic acid is then washed out in alcohol; finally the sec- tions are cleared up in oil of cloves, and mounted in balsam or dammar. Double staining by borax carmine and indigo carmine.— Drs. W. T. Norris and E. O. Shakespeare, of Philadelphia, have recommended a method which is a modification of Mer- kel’s. Two staining fluids are made, one red and the other blue. The red one contains carmine, gr. ; borax, 3 ss.; dis- tilled water, 3 j. The blue contains indigo carmine, 3 ss.; bo- rax, 3 ss.; and distilled water, 5 vij. After thorough trituration the ingredients are mixed and left in a vessel; the supernatant fluid is then poured off. The sections, if previously hardened in bichromate, picric acid, or chromic acid, should be well washed ; they then are to be placed for a few minutes in a mixture (equal parts) of the red and blue fluids, then transferred, without washing, to a satura- ted solution of oxalic acid and allowed to remain in it rather less time than in the staining fluid. When sufficiently bleached 1 [This preparation of borax carmine is the best that I have ever used.—T. E. S.]](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21932360_0040.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
