2630 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



follows: hematin 1 g., aluminium chloride .5 g. are rubbed together in a 

 mortar and dissolved in 100 ccm. of alcohol diluted in tap water to TO per cent. 

 This solution stands a week, deepening in color and increasing in staining capac- 

 ity. Then the stain is tested on a section. If the resulting stain is diffuse 10 

 per cent, solution of nitric acid is added drop by drop, the stain being tested 

 between each drop added. When the mucin cells stain a deep blue rapidly, 

 cytoplasm and other tissues being unstained, the reaction is right. Slightly 

 over-acid stains give good results, except that the nuclei have a meta-chromatic 

 red stain. The solution is used as follows : sections cut in paraffin and fastened 

 to the slide by the water method are treated with benzole followed by absolute 

 alcohol. With the slide under the microscope a drop of stain is put on and left 

 until with a low power the secretion of the cells is deep blue. Wash rapidly in 

 70 per cent, alcohol, dehydrate, clear in xylol and mount in balsam. Prolonging 

 the staining and non-renewal of the solution from time to time fail to give perma- 

 nent preparations; no water should be put on the stained sections. If water is 

 needed the stain may be made resistent to it by placing the slide for a few 

 moments in a saturated solution of copper acetate in alcohol, or in a solution of 

 sodium hydroxide, both of which form a compound with hematoxylin. 



Mucicarmine gave successful results with the glands of Brunner if a strong 

 stock solution of Mayer, freshly prepared, is used. After 24 to 48 hours the 

 solution cannot be filtered and refuses to stain. Both these stains will bring out 

 secretions from the following : mucous cells of salivary, buccal, lingual, palatrine, 

 tracheal and esophageal glands, gastric epithelial cells, cells of cardiac glands of 

 stomach, pyloric gland cells ; the neck chief cells of the gastric glands, goblet 

 cells and glands of Brunner of the rabbit. They do not stain secretions of the 

 following : demilune cells of salivary glands ; serous salivary glands ; from pure 

 or mixed glands ; serous portion of palatine and tracheal glands; glands of v. 

 Elner in the tongue ; the chief cells of the body of the fundus glands of the 

 stomach; parietal cells of fundus gland ; pancreatic cells. a. c. m. 



JHarpmann, Q. New Imbedding Medium. The author recommends celluloid dis- 

 Zeitschr.angew.Mikr.9: 14-16, 1903. (Rev. golved in acetone as a cheap, effective 

 J. R. M. S. 4, 558, 1903.) ^' 



substitute for celloidin. Celluloid chips 



are placed in a wide necked bottle and covered with acetone (10 x bulk). The 

 tightly covered bottle should be shaken at intervals and then allowed to stand 

 till all the celluloid is dissolved. The clear liquid is then poured off. Two 

 solutions are required, one thin, one thick, syrupy in consistency. Perfectly de- 

 hydrated material is placed in the thin solution for several days and then some 

 of the thick is added. The medium is thickened by slow evaporation under a 

 bell jar. Blocks should be free from cracks or holes, and can be kept in 80 per 

 cent, alcohol ; sections may be mounted as they are or the celluloid dissolved 

 out by means of acetone. a. c. m. 



