CHAPTEE III. 

 ON CUTTING SECTIONS. 



SECTIONS may be cut either by hand with a razor, or 

 with a microtome. 



1. In cutting sections by hand it is necessary to im- 

 bed the tissue in some material which will cut easily, 

 and at the same time hold it firmly. 



The best substance for this purpose is a mixture of 

 wax and olive oil. 



Take equal parts of white wax and olive oil by weight 

 and melt them together, pour into a shallow vessel and 

 when cold cut into small blocks. 



Small tin-boxes with a removable bottom are re- 

 quired to hold the mixture while the tissue is being im- 

 bedded, and the best size is 2 inches long, by f of an 

 inch wide, and J of an inch deep. 



It will be necessary also to have a small porcelain 

 ladle and a stand to raise it above a spirit lamp or gas 

 jet. Melt some of the wax mass in the ladle and be 

 careful not to make it too hot. 



Prepare the tissue so that the face which is to be cut 

 can be easily recognised, stick a needle into it away 

 from the part which is to be cut, drain off most of 

 the spirit by laying it on filtering paper, and then im- 

 merse in the melted wax mass, so that it is perfectly 

 covered, take it out and let it cool. Take a small piece 

 of filter paper and place it over the removable bottom 



