166 Connective Tissue (chap. 13) 



This method is so superior to the so-called Van Gieson stain '^vhich 

 uses acid fuchsin instead of ponceau S, that the Van Gieson method 

 has been omitted. Colors are identical but the Van Gieson proves un« 

 satisfactory because it fades rapidly. 



Elastin Tissue Staining 



VerhoefF's Elastin Stain (mallory, 1944) 

 fixation: any general fixative. 



solutions: 



Verhoeflf's stain: 



on electric hot plate, dissolve 3 gm. hematoxylin in 66 ml. absolute 

 ethyl alcohol. Cool, filter and add 24 ml. of 10% aqueous ferric chlo- 

 ride (FeCL) and 24 ml. Verhoeff's iodine solution. Usefulness is lim- 

 ited to 1-2 weeks. 



Verhoeff's iodine solution: 



potassium iodide (KI) 4.0 gm. 



distilled water 100.0 ml. 



Dissolve, and add: 



iodine 2.0 gm. 



Ferric chloride solution, 10%: 



ferric chloride, FeCU 10.0 gm. 



distilled water 100.0 ml. 



Ferric chloride solution, 2%: 



10% ferric chloride 20.0 ml. 



distilled water 100.0 ml. 



Picro-ponceau solution: 



ponceau S, C.I. 27195, 1% aqueous 10.0 ml. 



picric acid, saturated aqueous 86.0 ml. 



acetic acid, 1% aqueous 4.0 ml. 



procedure: 



1. Deparaffinize and run slides down to 70% alcohol. Removal of 

 HgClo not necessary. 



2. Stain in Verhoeff's stain: 15 minutes. 



3. Rinse in distilled water. 



4. Differentiate in 2% ferric chloride: few minutes. Elastic fibers 



