SECTION SEVEN 



3. Stain with the methylene blue solution (formula as above) 

 for ten minutes at about 40° C. 



4. Pour off excess stain and rinse the preparation in distilled 

 water. 



5. Counterstain for about five minutes with the diluted carbol 

 fuchsin solution. 



6. Pour off excess; rinse in distilled water; blot dry and 

 examine. 



Results: 



Flagella are stained blue, while capsules are red. 



METHYLENE BLUE - GENTIAN VIOLET 



For gonococci 



Solution required: 



Methylene blue . . . . . . 0-5 gm. 



Gentian violet . . . . . . 0-5 gm. 



Distilled water . . . . . . 100 ml. 



Technique: 



1. Thin smears of the secretion to be examined are fixed by 

 flaming. 



2. Stain for thirty seconds with the above solution ; then wash 

 and dry. 



Results: 



Gonococci, dark violet. Nuclei of leucocytes, dark blue. Cyto- 

 plasm of leucocytes, pale reddish violet. Nuclei of epithelial cells, 

 deep blue. 



METHYLENE BLUE - SAFRANIN 

 For polar bodies of bacteria 



Solutions required: 



A. Methylene blue (Neisser). 



B. Safranin 1% aqueous. 



38s 



