Preserving Gross Specimens in a Pliable Condition 427 



58°C. This was followed by 6-8 hours washing and then processing 

 overnight in the Technicon lor embedding the next morning. The re- 

 sults were creditable, good enough for tissue identification and some 

 pathological reading. The tissues in this run axeraged 10-25 cm. in size 

 and were fixed in either formalin or a mercuric chloride fixative. A 

 longer stay in detergent might be required for larger pieces. No pre- 

 tense is being made that results are exceptional: considerable shrinkage 

 remains in the cells, and staining is not brilliant, but it is better than 

 after trisodium phosphate. If, however, it is essential to check back on a 

 tissue concerning its identity, a malignancy, or some other "matter of 

 life or death," the author suggests trying this method of recovery of 

 otherwise irretrievable tissue. It might save the day. 



Storing Gross Specimens 



Sealing tissues for storage has been a serious problem. Bottled storage 

 has risks; any seal can spring a leak, and resulting evaporation cidini- 

 nates in desiccated tissue. Storing in plastic bags can be a more reliable 

 system than the use of bottles. A heavy quality of polyethylene plastic 

 is recommended. Lighter grades can split or luiseal, whereas the heavy 

 grade, once well sealed, almost stipports itself without collapsing. The 

 plastic can be cut to any size and sealed on all four edges, if necessary, 

 with the "Pack Rite Poly Jaw Sealer" of Pack-Rite Machines, 407 

 E. Michigan St., Milwaukee. JViscojisi)!. A small amoimt of formalin 

 incltided in the bag will keep the tissue moist so long as the bag remains 

 sealed. A quantity of small containers can be sealed together in a large 

 bag, affording additional protection against drying. Plastic tags Avith 

 data can be enclosed or attached to the oiuside. Storing in bags also 

 saves storage space, preservative and containers.^ 



See also: Lieb (1959); Gordon (1953); and Broadway and Koelle (1960). 



Preserving Gross Specimens in a Pliable Condition 



Palkowski (1960) Method 



Sometimes it is economical to preserve gross specimens, pathological 

 ones in partictilar, for future teaching or demonstration purposes. Fix 

 as soon as possible in modified Kaiserling Solutioyi: 3-4 hours. 



- Polyethylene plastic bags may be purchased from a number of companies, in addition 

 to the one listed here: Falcon Plastics C.ompanv, (5020 W'. Washington Blvd., Culver Citv, 

 California. Available are 9 sizes of bags, from 4" X 6" to 10" X 15" in 2 thicknesses — 0.002 

 in. and 0.004 in.: luiits of 100 in a package, 500 to 200 in a case, depending on size of bag. 



