2182 



Journal of Applied Microscopy 



Elementary Medical Micro-Technique for Physicians and 

 Others Interested in the Microscope. 



Copyrighted. 



XIII. 



SIMPLE PATHOLOGICAL TECHNIQUE.— Continued. 



Embeddvtg in Celloidin. First prepare two solutions of celloidin. one thin, 

 the other very thick, by dissolving the celloidin in equal parts of absolute alcohol 

 and ether to the proper consistency. It takes a day or so for the celloidin to 

 dissolve. Transfer the specimen from absolute alcohol to equal parts of abso- 

 lute alcohol and ether for four hours, after which put it in a thin syrupy solution 

 of celloidin for twelve hours, then into thick celloidin for twelve hours. It is now 

 ready to embed. Prepare a small square block of white pine ^" square and y^," 

 thick as free from pitch and resin as possible and pour a large drop of the thick cel- 

 loidin on one of its surfaces, which should be roughened. Remove the specimen 

 and embed it in this drop of celloidin. Pour additional celloidin over the speci- 



s. 



V 



Fig. XXV.^Epithelioma of the hand showing nest-like arrangement 

 of cells. Stain, haematoxylin and eosin. Magnified oO diam- 

 eters; 2 inch objective; Zeiss projection ocular No. 4. 



men until it is well covered and stuck to the block. Allow the celloidin to " set " 

 in the air a few minutes (not dry) and place the prepared block in ;^5 per cent, 

 alcohol (ordinary alcohol 85 c. c, distilled water 10 c. c), in which it may be 

 preserved indefinitely. After six hours the celloidin will be hardened and sec- 

 tions may be cut, but the specimen must be kept wet during the cutting and at 

 all times with the 85 per cent, alcohol. 



The solutions required, Carnoy's fluid, thin and thick celloidin, maybe made 

 up in quantity and if well stoppered ^\\\ keep indefinitely. 



The process is simple and easily followed without special apparatus. If the 

 specimen is small it may be collected in an 8 drachm homeopathic vial and car- 

 ried in the vest pocket during the time necessary for the fixing, hardening and 



