28 ' Fixdlion (chap. 1) 



Decalcification Combined with Other Processes 



FIXATION-DECALCIFICATION 



1. Lillie (1954 B) recommends 1-2 days: 



picric acid, 1-2% aqueous (1-2 gm./lOO ml. 



water) 85.0 ml. 



formalin 10.0 ml. 



formic acid, 90-95% aqueous (90-95 ml./10-5 



ml. water) 5.0 ml. 



Extract some of the yellow: 2-3 days in 70-80% alcohol. 



2. Lillie {1954B) also recommends: 



Add 5% of 90% formic acid to Zenker's fixative. 



3. McNamara et al. {1940): 



mercuric chloride 10.0 gm. 



distilled water 300.0 ml. 



Dissolve with heat. Cool. 



trichloracetic acid 30.0 gm. 



distilled water 100.0 ml. 



Dissolve and then add: 



nitric acid, concentrated 5.0 ml. 



95% ethyl alcohol 50.0 ml. 



formalin 40.0 ml. 



Mix the two solutions. Change daily until bone is soft. If more 

 than 7 days are required, nuclear staining is impaired. Running 

 water: 24 hours; dehydrate and embed. 



4. Perenyi's fluid, also a fixative, page 20. 



Good for small deposits. Little hardening effect. Excellent cytolog- 

 ical detail. Good for calcified arteries, and glands, thyroid. 12-24 

 hours. Wash in 50-70% alcohol. 



5. Schmidt [1956) uses the following for 24-48 hours, pH 7-9: 



4% formalin (4 ml./96 ml. water) plus 1 gm. 



sodium acetate 100.0 ml. 



disodium versenate 10.0 gm. 



No washing necessary. Dehydrate and embed as usual. 



