APPARATUS AND METHODS. 



11 



the material thoroughly wetted in order to prevent the 

 inclusion of troublesome air-bubbles and the sticking of 

 the section to the razor. In cutting fresh material, or 

 material preserved in formalin, moisten the razor with 

 dilute (50 per cent.) alcohol since water is apt to collect 

 in drops instead of spreading over the blade. In cutting 

 alcohol material, wet the razor with alcohol of the same 

 strength as that in which the material has been preserved. 

 Have a saucer of alcohol at hand to dip both razor and 

 material into while cutting the sections. 



Fig. 9. Method of holding Razor and Specimen in cutting Sections. 



In cutting sections (Fig. 9), open the razor so that the 

 blade is in line with the handle. Hold the specimen 

 between thumb and forefinger of left hand, and grasp the 

 razor tightly with the right hand so that the blade is 

 horizontal with its edge directed towards you ; place the 

 tips of the four right fingers on the back of the razor, and 

 the thumb in front; place the left wrist and forearm 

 firmly on the table; rest the blade of the razor on the 

 bent forefinger of the left hand, with the edge against the 

 specimen and the left thumb well down and out of the 

 way in case the razor should slip. Then draw the razor 

 through the specimen with a sliding movement, making a 

 long oblique stroke and cutting as thin sections as pos- 

 sible ; dip the razor into the dilute alcohol for each stroke. 



Before cutting sections, trim off the specimen with a 



