Methods for Macerating Fresh Tissues. 



Ranvier's Alcohol. 



Place small pieces of the tissue to be macerated in 33 

 % alcohol, in which they remain from 12 to 24 hours; then 

 transfer them to a 0.25 % osmic acid solution for two to 

 four hours. They can -HOW be teased. 



This method is very useful for macerating epithelial 

 tissue ; for instance, the cells lining the intestinal canal or 

 the trachea, for isolating the cells of the liver, etc. 



Caustic Potash Solution. 



Make a 30 % aqueous solution of KOH. Small 

 pieces are placed in this solution for 15 to 20 minutes. The 

 maceration is then interrupted by transferring the tissue 

 to a saturated aqueous solution of acetate of potash (it 

 takes about 60 parts of the acetate of potash to saturate 40 

 parts of water), to which a few drops of glacial acetic acid 

 have been added (the author adds five to six drops to 25 

 c. c. of the saturated solution). In about 30 minutes the 

 tissue is ready for teasing; it can, however, be kept along 

 time, several months, in the acetate of potash. 



This method is used for macerating non-striped and 

 heart muscle, also epithelial cells. 



Hydrochloric Acid. 



A 30 % aqueous solution is used; in it the tis- 

 sues remain for 12 to 24 hours, and are then washed in 

 flowing water for half an hour, when they are ready to be 

 teased. HCL is especially useful for isolating the tubules 

 of the kidney. 



