1883.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 297 



STAINING WITH H^MATOXYLON. 

 BY CHARLES L. MITCHELL, PH. D., M. D. 



Hffimatoxylon or logwood was first recommended b}'^ Boehmer 

 for the staining of tissues and sections, for microscopic examina- 

 tions. Its rapid action, clearness of differentiation and beautiful 

 tint soon made it a favorite staining agent with microscopists. 

 Possessing even a greater selective power than carmine in sepa- 

 rating and staining the bioplasm of animal and vegetable tissues, 

 it was also superior to this coloring agent in the fact that the 

 violet tint of the logwood was not nearly so fatiguing to the eye 

 in prolonged examinations with the microscope. The deeper Jiue 

 of the logwood-coloring was also an advantage in the fact that the 

 contrasts of colored and uncolored tissue afforded b}^ its use pro- 

 duced a much more perfect definition and clearness of outline 

 than could be produced by a brighter color. Nucleus, nucleolus 

 and cell-wall, when stained b^' this agent, all stand out clearly 

 and with perfect distinctness and sharpness of outline — a result 

 not to be attained by the use of any other coloring material. 



The use of logwood as a staining agent, however, was soon 

 found to be attended with strong and serious disadvantages. The 

 staining fluid soon became thick, cloudy and filled with a grumons 

 sediment, at the same time changing its color ; sections and 

 tissues, stained with it, were of a dirty brown color and soon 

 faded, and, unless the solution was freshly prepared, the results 

 obtained from it could not be depended upon. The numerous 

 formulae, published b}^ Kleinenberg, Boehmer, Miller, Klein and 

 many others, some of which formulre are exceedingly complicated, 

 are sufficient proof that the task they undertook was not an easy 

 one; and, judging by the results, a simple, satisfactory formula 

 for preparing this desirable coloring agent has ^et to be published. 

 It is my purpose this evening to call the attention of the members 

 of the Section to a new and simple method of preparing a log- 

 wood staining fluid, by which a permanent, reliable and satisfactory 

 preparation can be easil}'^ made. This method, I think, will place 

 within tiie reach of ever}- microscopist a staining fluid which is 

 stable in composition, comparativelj' easy of preparation and 

 unequaled in the delicacy and clearness of differentiation of its 

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