PREFACE 



The object of this book is twofold, namely; 



(i) To present new ideas regarding the mechanism and theory 

 of staining reactions, etc. 



(2) To bring together, in concise form, a large number of 

 staining procedures previously scattered throughout many books 

 and journals. 



This book, then, may be regarded as a laboratory guide, a book 

 on theory, and a work of reference. 



Up to comparatively recent times staining methods appear to 

 have been based more on myth and lore than on established 

 scientific facts. Empirical staining by the histologist, based on 

 experience of a relatively small number of dyes, is giving way to 

 a conscious selection proceeding from a knowledge of the chemical 

 structure and affinities of what he uses. However, the use of 

 stains as simple differentiators of anatomical components will 

 continue to be an important part of histological art, and this is 

 one of the reasons why so many different staining methods have 

 been included in this book. Many of the methods given here 

 are new; some are not so new, while others are very old. By 

 studying the older methods and comparing them with the newer 

 ones, in the light of the information given in the theoretical 

 section of this book and the notes and observations given at the 

 end of most staining procedures described here, some new ideas, 

 which could be applied to other problems, might emerge. 



As in my previous books, I have attempted to cater for a great 

 variety of workers in the medical and biological spheres, hence 

 the large number of recipes (over 700) and staining procedures 

 (about 300) given here. Some of these methods, which may 

 appear redundant to some technicians, will be required by others. 

 Contact with some thousands of medical and biological laboratory 

 workers scattered throughout the world has taught me this. 



Some of the methods could perhaps be simplified: there is 

 ample scope for experiment here. In this connection I would 

 call attention to the Falg and Faviol methods. These are examples 



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