xiv STAINING OF PARAFFIN SECTIONS 65 



Aniline gentian-violet or carbol gentian- violet may be 

 used. 



This method gives by far the best results, the sections 

 being thin and well stained, and it should be 

 employed in all cases where good specimens are 

 required. The paraffin must be thoroughly re- 

 moved. 



(ii.) Quick Method. 



(a) Fix a section on a clean cover-glass, and remove the 

 paraffin as before. 



(b) Now float the specimen on the surface of a warm 

 carbol fuchsine solution for five to ten minutes, and treat 

 it as if it were an ordinary sputum film, except that it 

 must be dehydrated and cleared before mounting. 



The section must be as thin as possible, and the carbol 

 fuchsine solution should not be overheated. This 

 method, if combined with quick paraffin em- 

 bedding, is of great value when a rapid diagnosis 

 is desirable. 



(2) Diphtheritic membrane. 



(a) Fix a section of the diphtheritic membrane on a 

 cover-glass in the usual manner and remove the paraffin. 



(b) Place the cover-glass in the eosine methylene-blue 

 mixture for six to eighteen hours. 



(c) Wash it in water till the blue tint has almost dis- 

 appeared. 



(d) Dehydrate it in absolute alcohol, clear, and mount 

 it in xylol balsam. 



