22 Biological Stains 



tance, doing business in this country only through agents who are 

 not in direct touch with the actual manufacturers of the dyes. 



Although this phase of the work of the Stain Commission is one 

 of inspection, it has not brought about unpleasant relations with 

 any manufacturer or dealer in stains. As a matter of fact, the 

 hearty cooperation of the American stain companies has been ob- 

 tained throughout; and without this cooperation much that has 

 been accomplished in the way of standardization would have been 

 impossible. 



The British Biological Stains Commission. Late in 1949 an or- 

 ganization of this name was established in England with objects 

 similar to those of the American Commission. The situation in 

 England is different from that in the United States, and has to be 

 handled differently. Foreign dyes have been definitely excluded 

 from the country for some time, and a few English concerns are 

 producing biological stains, without much control of their products. 

 It is still too soon to tell what the results will be of the English 

 effort to standardize their supply. They are cooperating with the 

 Biological Stain Commission in America, and samples of British 

 stains have been sent to this country for testing in the Commis- 

 sion's laboratories. Many of the British samples submitted do 

 not conform to the standards adopted in the U. S.; but there is 

 little doubt but that the quality of the products will be improved 

 now that attention is being given to the matter by a group of 

 scientists who use them. 



