H ^31 ATE IN 159 



295. Delafield's Haematoxylin (Zcit. rviss. Mik., ii, 188;), p. 288 ; 

 Ircquciitly attributed erroneously to Grexaciier or Prudden). 

 To 400 CO. of saturated solution of ammonia-alum (that is about 

 1 to 11 of water) add 4 grm. of h;ematox. cryst. dissolved in 25 c.c. 

 of strong alcohol. Leave it exposed to the light and air in an 

 unstoppered bottle for three or four days. Filter, and add 100 

 c.c. of glycerin and 100 c.c. of methylic alcohol (CH4O). Allow 

 the solution to stand (uncorked) until the colour is suiliciently 

 dark, then filter. 



According to Neild (Science, 79, 1934, p. 209) the ripening process 

 may be shortened to an afternoon, if the ahim and haematoxylin solution 

 is exposed to the rays of a Cooper-Hewitt burner in a shallow dish for 

 an hour, and then, after adding the other ingredients, the sohition is 

 exposed for two hours more. 



This solution keeps for years. It is well to allow it to ripen 

 for at least two months before using it. 



For staining, enough of the solution should be added to pure 

 water to make a very dilute stain. It is an extremely powerful 

 stain. 



It is still much used. We find that when xi'ell ripened — for 

 years rather than months — it is quite a first-class stain. 



BuTSCiiLi (Unters. iib. mikroscopische Schdume u. das Proloplasma, 

 etc., 1892) recommends, under the name of " acid haematoxylin," 

 solution of Delafield very strongly diluted, and with enough acetic acid 

 added to it to give it a decidedly red tint. This gives a sharper and 

 more differentiated nuclear stain than the usual solution. 



Martinotti (Zeit. wiss. Mik., xxvii, 1910, p. 31) makes it up with 0-2 

 per cent, of fuematein, and less alum (2 per cent.). 



296. Ehrlich's Acid Haematoxylin (Zeit. loiss. Mik., 1816, 

 p. 150). Water 100 c.c, absolute 100, glycerin 100, glacial 

 acetic acid 10, haematoxylin 2 grm.. alum in excess. 



Dissolve the haematoxylin in the alcohol, then add the acid, 

 then the glycerine and water. 



Let the mixture ripen in the light (with occasional admission 

 of air) until it acquires a dark red colour. It will then keep, 

 with constant power, for years, if kept in a well-sto])percd bottle. 

 It is very appropriate for staining in bulk, as over-staining does 

 not occur. We find it excellent. 



Mann {ibid., xi, 1895, p. 487) makes up tliis stain with an 

 equal quantity of ha-matein instead of ha?matoxylin. 



Mayer {GrUndziige, Lee and Mayer, 1st ed., j). 154) finds 

 that this is too much and makes the mixture overstain ; 0-4 grm. 

 of haematein is quite enough. 



297. Burchardt's Pyroligneous Acid Haematoxylin (Arch. mik. 

 Anat., liii, 1898, p. 232) woukl seem to be superfluous. 



