Preface 



In the area of histological sttidies the requirements for a useful 

 laboratory handbook and textbook are both diverse and exceedingly 

 complex. The needs of beginning students in premedical courses, of 

 medical technicians in training, of zoology majors, and of other stu- 

 dents are similar but not identical. The needs of research assistants 

 and of experienced tissue technicians at work in the field resemble, 

 but are not identical with, the needs of the sttidents. The author has 

 tried to keep these diversities in mind while pursuing her t^vo major 

 goals: (1) to familiarize the sttident with basic — standard — procedures 

 and introduce him to specialized technics, and (2) to furnish the work- 

 ing technician with a prop during the first job and an occasional 

 reference point in later work, until consulting specialized references 

 and journals has become a habit. 



Basic procedures are applicable to both normal and pathological 

 tissues in zoological and medical fields. Because most histological re- 

 actions follow a logical and specific sequence, a simplified discussion 

 of principles has been written for many of the technics. Then perhaps 

 an understanding of each step can prevent mistakes during first trials 

 of a method. There are an infinite ntimber of problems and blmiders 

 which can plague a tissue technician. Stiggestions concerning such 

 stumbling blocks and some of their remedies may forewarn the novice 

 and be of assistance to others. 



This book is not intended to form a complete "reference"; the 

 experienced worker knows of ninnerous such tomes as well as journals 

 that specialize in biological subjects. However, special methods of 

 wide usage and exceptional merit are included, particularly those 



V 



