1694 



Journal of Applied Microscopy 



NEWS AND NOTES. 



An Apparatus and Method for Rapidly Staining Large Numbers of 

 Sputum Specimens. — This apparatus, as illustrated, consists of a long, narrow 

 copper bath, mounted on legs, weighted to ensure stability, and of sufficient height 

 to permit the use of a Bunsen burner under the bath. At one end near the top 

 are two inlets ; the upper one (A) to admit the stain, the lower one (B) to admit 

 water. In the bottom of the bath, at the same end, is a small outlet (C) for the 



Fig. 1. — Staining Bath for Sputum Specimens. 



Stain, closed by a rubber tube and pinchcock. At the other end of the bath, 

 partitioned off by a false wall, is a one-half inch siphon, the inner end of which 

 is about three-eighths inch from the bottom, and the top about on a level with 

 the upper inlet. 



Instead of ordinary microscopical slides, a thin plate of glass, etched as shown 

 in Fig. 2, is used. The etched area above the spacings furnishes a surface on 

 which desired data may be written. This large slide is made of a size to fit the 

 bath and is held upright by guides in the ends of the bath. 



To use this apparatus, proceed as fol- 

 lows : 



Stain is admitted through A until the 

 bath is about two-thirds full, or to a depth 

 sufficient to cover the preparations without 

 starting the siphon. The specimens are 

 then stained, after which the stain is drawn 

 off through the outlet C. Water is then turned into the bath through B. The 

 bath fills until the top of the siphon is reached, then drains rapidly until the 



Fig. 2. — Slide for Sputum Specimens. 



