THE MICROSCOPE. 6i 



Maltine as a Constructive. — "Maltine in its different forms 

 is the only malt preparation I now employ, being so palatable, di- 

 gestible and easily assimilated. Of its efficiency in appropriate 

 cases there is no more doubt in my mind than there is of the cura- 

 tive power of quinine, cod liver oil, the bromides and the iodides. 

 It deserves to stand in the front rank of constructives; and the con- 

 structives, by their preventive, corrective and curative-power, are 

 probably the most widely useful therapeutic agents that we possess. 

 — L. P. Yandell, M. D., in Louisville Medical News. 



Method of Preparing and Mounting Soft Tissues. — The 

 conclusions arrived at with regard to the structure of the nervous 

 centres by means of the successive action of bichromate of potash 

 and nitrate of silver will certainly receive confirmation from this 

 method, which we owe to Professor C. Golgi. It has the double 

 advantage of enabling us to stain the nerve-cells black within a 

 given time, and of turning out preparation which may be kept for a 

 long period in the ordinary mounting media. The pieces of tissue 

 are hardened to the necessary degree in Miiller's fluid, or in solu- 

 tions of bichromate of potash, whose strength is gradually increased 

 from I to 2i per cent. The pieces must not be more than i to 2 

 cm. thick, a large proportion of fluid must be used, and it must be 

 frequently changed. In from 15 to 20 days the pieces are put into 

 corrosive sublimate solution \X.o \ per cent, in strength. The re- 

 action requires at least 8 or 10 days, and during this time the liquid 

 must be daily renewed. The pieces gradually change color and 

 acquire the appearance of fresh brain-substance. They may be al- 

 lowed to remain even for a longer time in the solution, which serves 

 at the same time to harden them. Sections which are to be kept 

 must be repeatedly washed, else crystals and other deposits appear 

 upon them and alter the appearance under the microscope. They 

 keep admirably well in glycerine, which is perhaps better for the 

 purpose than Canada balsam and dammar. By this method the 

 ganglion-cells with their processes are acted upon; their nuclei are 

 often left visible; the elementary constituents of the walls of the 

 vessels, and especially the smooth muscular fibres (muscle fibre- 



