and Laboratory Methods. '-^"^5 



Pathological glands are equally well digested and changes in framework shown. 

 When under the microscope no cellular debris can be seen, the tissue is washed 

 thoroughly in water and cleared in glycerine. A piece of organ prepared in this 

 way keeps its form perfectly and the capsule, finer connective tissue strands, ves- 

 sels, ducts, and relation of lobules and follicles can be clearly traced. Even 

 casement membranes like a fine web can be seen. Changes in light bring out 

 many details. After this study is complete the glycerine can be washed out in 

 water, the tissue embedded in paraftine and sections cut from 4 ja upward. 

 These may be stained with iron hematoxylin, fuchsin, nigrosin, Mallory's method 

 or aniline blue alone. By using the immersion lens, the finest details in the 

 arrangement of the fibers can be seen. Thicker sections in celloidin are even 

 better than parafiine, cut from 15 to 80 /< thick and stained with 8 per cent, acid 

 fuchsin. Prolonged washing clears up the celloidin but leaves the fibres colored. 

 The method is slow, the time required being 1 to 3 months for completed pre- 

 parations, but yields very satisfactory results. Mall's frozen section method will 

 still serve for rapid work. a. c. m. 



Flint, J. M. Note on the Framework of the This gland yields beautiful results by 

 'I'hyroid Gland. Johns Hopkins Hospital the method already described (above). 



Bull. 14: 33-35, 1903. rj., ■ ■ , 1 1 ^ r ^1 



i he specimen is a clear skeleton of the 



original block of tissue. Larger structures, as blood-vessels, even suggestions of 

 follicles can be seen with the naked eye. No lobules or groups of follicles are 

 seen ; the blood vessels and their connective tissue make up the densest part of 

 the framework. Proportionally there is more interfollicular connective tissue in 

 the human gland than that of the dog. The follicles and the reticulated base- 

 ment membranes appear heavier. The thyroid of the monkey has all the char- 

 acteristics of the organ in the dog, the only difference being in the greater size 

 of the follicles, being nearly twice those of the dog. In certain specimens the 

 parathyroid is seen. This in dog and monkey is enclosed in the general cap- 

 sule, but is separated by a distinct fibrous capsule. Staining the blocks of tissue 

 150 yu thick with anilin blue brings out finer fibres with great clearness. No 

 evidence of rupture is seen in any of the follicles, and the meshes are certainly 

 large enough to allow free passage of fluids. a. c. m. 



,^ ,. , », The author considers acetyl-cellulose 



Inarpmaao, u. New Medium for Mounting ■' 



Microscopical Preparations. Zeitschr. an- an ideal medium. It is prepared by 

 gew. Mikr. 9: 1-3, 1903. (Rev. J. R. M. S. treating hydrocellulose with 3 per cent. 

 4, 560, 1903.) ° -^ \ 



sulphuric acid at 70° C. and after- 

 wards with acetic acid. On the addition of water acetyl-cellulose separates, and 

 when dried forms a sandy powder, easily soluble in chloroform, nitrobenzol, 

 etc. Excellent material is now on the market. A good cellulose solution keeps 

 for a long time and may always be freshened by adding chloroform. Prepara- 

 tions are removed from alcohol, xylol, or one of the oils (cedar, clove, origanum) 

 to a drop of the solution which has been placed on the slide. Another drop is 

 added, and after arrangement with a glass rod, cover-glass is put on. The cover 

 may be left off, which fact forms the most important advantage of the medium. 

 Cover slips made from the following solution may be substituted for the glass : 

 10 parts acetyl-cellulose, 1 part aluminum palmitate, 15-20 parts chloroform, 

 1 part nitrobenzol. This solution is smeared on a plate of glass until it forms a 

 layer about .15 mm. thick. When dry it can be peeled off in strips and cut up 

 into suitable sizes. a. c. m. 



