and Laboratory Methods, 2453 



Rapid Method for Examining Bacteria in Tissues and their 

 Staining with Haematoxylin. 



It is hard to find any other method or stain that has not already been modi- 

 fied in many ways. Take for example the freezing or rapid preparation of 

 tissues by the Cullen method, to which a fresh impetus has been given. The 

 primary method, I believe, was originated many years ago either by Rutherford 

 or by Prof. E. Klein. Any way, diagnoses were made in the operating and 

 autopsy rooms when these teachers were beginning the founding of histologic 

 and pathologic laboratory work in England and Germany, following their mas- 

 ters such as Billroth, KoUiker, Frey, etc. In this country in 'S7 such work was 

 done, specimens being cut, stained, mounted and diagnosed in 10 to 25 min- 

 utes in the University of Michigan, and in Chicago in '92 or possibly before. 

 The introduction of formol was some gain, but did not possess material advan- 

 tage over OsO^, except expense perhaps. 



The following method may be of use in some work, and as it is not much 

 known this fact must be my excuse for giving it. Originality is not claimed, for 

 at this date I am not able to place the laboratory from which I got it. 



(a) Cut organs into small cubes as soon as they can be had. 



(b) Write on pieces of filter paper {fne grain) the points of interest, name, 

 etc. Place the tissue on the paper with the items at the side. Place in alcohol. 



(c) Harden during a period ranging from a few hours to a few days, chang- 

 ing the alcohol frequently. 



Now fasten the tissue to the block with the following mixture : 



Glycerine - - - - - - 4 c. c. 



Gelatine ... - - 1 gram 



Water - - - - - - - 2 c. c. 



Heat and dissolve to a thick mass, when the tissue will be found to be fastened 

 firmly. Place in alcohol, preparation side down, for 12 to 24 hours. Cut. 



This applies to organs like the liver, kidney, and the more solid structures, 

 Formol can be used to harden if the pieces are very small, as it lacks deep pene- 

 trating powers. Formol gelatine forms an insoluble compound, but clear, and is 

 much used for eye museum preparations. 



In connection with this I would like to ask the question if any one has tested 

 the power of haematoxylin as a bacillus or bacterial stain. In making a rapid 

 examination of what was called an ulcer of the nose, I found my haematoxylin 

 sections showed many well stained bacteria, both on the periphery and interiorly. 

 The Loffler's blue and carbol fuchsin did not show them nearly so well nor in so 

 many numbers. 



I find one of the quick methods is Kischensky's, as follows : 



(a) Place a drop of weak solution of carbo-fuchsin on the cover, mix with a 

 very small quantity of the pure culture to be examined and spread thinly and 

 evenly. 



(b) Heat in the fingers gently over the flame. 



