MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL STAINING TECHNIQUES 



CELESTIN BLUE - CHROMOTROPE 2R 



(Lendrum) 



A substitute for haematoxylin-eosin, for simple diagnostic 

 or photographic purposes, emphasizing the staining of 



collagen and reticulum 



Solutions required: 



A. Celestin blue (as solution B, page 89) 



B. Alcohol 70% 100 ml. 



Hydrochloric acid, cone. . . . . 2 ml. 



C. Phosphomolybdic acid 1% 



D. Chromo trope 2R 1% in absolute alcohol 



Technique: 



1. Fix tissues in Zenker or Bouin exactly as described on page 

 89, stage i). 



2. Stain section in the celestin blue solution for fifteen minutes. 



3. Remove any cytoplasmic staining with solution B. 



4. Wash with water for one minute. 



5. Mordant with 1% phosphomolybdic acid solution for one 

 to two minutes. 



6. Wash well with water. 



7. Dehydrate; then stain for two minutes in the chromotrope 

 2R solution. 



8. Dehydrate; clear in xylol, and mount in D.P.X. 



Results: 



Nuclei, bluish purple. Cytoplasm, pink; collagenous elements, 

 bright red. 



Note: For photographing this stain the best filters to use are 

 those giving a spectral transmission of 5,600 to 6,000 A.U. 



Reference: Lendrum, A. C. (1935), J- Path, and Bad., 40, 415-6, " Celestin 

 blue as a nuclear stain ". 



88 



