26 



Chapter III 

 THE DETECTION OF THE MALARIA PARASITE 



N.B. A stained specimen (Romanowsky) should always be used 

 for the purpose of making a diagnosis as parasites are easily missed in 

 fresh films. 



To Examine the Stained Film. After staining 

 and drying, the film is ready for examination. Canada- 

 balsam and coverglass need not be allied* A drop of 

 cedar-wood oil is placed upon the film, and the oil 

 immersion lowered into it. 



Fix the right-hand end of the slide with a clip 

 on the stage, and with the fine adjustment first focus 

 upwards slightly, as the lens may be already too low. 

 Jf the film does not come into view, focus down- 

 wards, keeping the unfixed end of the slide constantly 

 moving very slightly to and fro with the left hand 

 until the film comes into focus. If this precaution is 

 taken a lens should never be jammed against a slide 

 or driven through a coverglass. 



Commence the examination at the edge of the 

 film near the middle, and then proceed towards the 

 points or tongues, for it is along the edge and especially 

 in the tongues that parasites (if very scanty) will be 

 found if present. 



After the examination is completed, if it be 

 desired to keep -the film, the cedar oil is dissolved off 

 by dropping a little xylol over the film and allowing 

 this to drain off. and then to dry. After drying the 



