27 



Embedding Media 



Decimal Divisions Used in Chapter 



E 00 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 



E 10 MEDIA MISCIBLE WITH WATER 



11.1 Formulas 

 E 20 MEDIA NOT MISCIBLE WITH WATER 



21 Wax media 

 21.1 Formulas 



22 Nitrocellulose media 

 22.1 Formulas 



23 Resinous media 

 23.1 Formulas 



24 Other media 

 24.1 Formulas 



E 00 General Observations 



The term embedding media covers all those materials which are used to surround, im- 

 pregnate, and support specimens which are being sectioned. The technique of section 

 cutting is discussed in Chapters 10 through 15. Embedding media may be divided into 

 those which are miscible with water (E 10) and to which, therefore, objects may be 

 transferred without special preparation, and those which are not miscible with water 

 (E 20) and thus require preliminary treatment of the specimen. 



E 10 Media Miscible with Water 



Water-miscible embedding media are in some cases intended for surrounding an ob- 

 ject which is to be frozen before it is cut, and in other cases intended to be hardened by 

 other means and cut without freezing. No general division between these two groups is 

 possible because many media are suitable for both purposes. When, however, no specific 

 method is given, it is to be presumed that the media are intended for objects to be cut 

 on a freezing microtome in the manner described in Chapter 15. 



E 11.1 Formulas 



11.1 Anderson 1929 Anderson 1929, 129 



formula: syrupus simplex' (B.P.) 45, dextrin 14, 80% ale. 45 



preparation: Boil the dextrin in the syrupus simplex till solution complete. Add ale. 

 little by little with constant shaking. 



11.1 Apathy test. 1948 Romeis Romeis 1948, 108 



formula: water 87.5, glycerol 12.5, gelatin 25 



method: [object from water] -^ 50% glycerol-* 30% embedding medium, 40°C., 24 

 hrs. -^ embedding medium, 40°C. 24 hrs. — > dessicator, 50°C. till volume reduced to 

 half -^ cast as block -* cool -^95% ale, 24 hrs. — > terpineol, 24 hrs. -^ [section] 



642 



