STAINING, PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL 



Technique: 



1. Thin slices of tissue are fixed in absolute alcohol; then de- 

 hydrated; cleared, and embedded in paraffin wax in the usual 

 manner. 



2. Float sections on slides with 70% alcohol and flatten by 

 warming gently, on a warm surface (but not with a direct flame). 



3. Remove excess 70% alcohol by blotting very carefully but 

 thoroughly. 



4. Treat with xylol; then with absolute alcohol. 



5. Stain in Lugol's iodine solution for ten minutes; then pour 

 off excess stain and carefully blot the preparation thoroughly dry. 



6. Clear and differentiate with origanum oil, controlling by 

 examination under the microscope. 



7. Mount in origanum balsam. 



Results: 



Glycogen, reddish brown; tissue constituents, pale yellow. 



Reference: Langerhans, T. (1890). 



LUXOL FAST BLUE 

 As a selective stain for alpha cells in human pituitary 



Solutions required: 

 A. Luxol fast blue (Michrome No. 



331) o-igm. 



95 ml. 



14-5 ml. 



0-5 ml. 



is stable for several 



Absolute alcohol 

 Distilled water 

 Glacial acetic acid 



Note: This solution, which 

 months at least, should be filtered before use 



B. Lithium, carbonated, 0-05% aqueous 



C. Solution A 5 ml. 



Distilled water . . . . . . 95 ml. 



270 



