980 REPORT— 1896, 
the best known form is the Heidelberg or Thoma-Jung microtome. To obviate 
these errors we have :— 
1, Arranged to clamp the knife at both ends, either placed transversely 
(paraffin cutting), or obliquely (celloidine cutting); also the knife is made very 
heavy and of the chisel type, not of the razor type. It is known that the razor is 
a worthless type for fine microtome knives, because the elasticity of the thin 
blade introduces a gross error, except of course with very small and soft objects. 
2. We have provided a support for the object to be cut immediately under 
the object itself, and this support is very wide, thus reducing the possible tilting to 
an extreme minimum. 
3. To prevent jumping, the knife is kept immovable, the object alone moves, 
and is clamped in the securest manner in the object-holder, while movable gibs 
fasten the carriage to the ways. 
The apparatus includes two forms of movement, one of which is entirely 
automatic, for raising the object. There are also simple devices for removing the 
alcohol, when that is used for cutting, without any of the liquid falling on the 
working gear. Other details need not be described, as they are mainly for con- 
venience in use. In working out the construction of the microtome, I have had 
the constant co-operation of Mr. Edward Bausch. His suggestions proved essential 
to the success achieved. 
The microtome has been placed upon the market by Messrs. Bausch & Lomb, 
of Rochester, New York. The price will probably be seventy to eighty dollars. 
2. Fragments from the Autobiography of a Nerve. 
By A.W. Watter, JD., F.R.S. 
Principle of method.—The isolated living nerve is stimulated at regular 
intervals and the series of electrical responses graphically recorded; various 
chemical reagents alter the character of the response. The nerve is practically 
submitted to question and answer at regular short intervals, the question being 
constant and the answer varying with the state of the nerve. 
The method lends itself to a large range of inquiries, such as the action of 
anesthetics, narcotics, sedatives, stimulants, &c. Nerve-records were presented 
exhibiting that— 
1. Chloroform is more toxic than ether. 
2. Carbon dioxide is typically an anesthetic. 
3. Nitrous oxide is inert. 
4, The basic is more effective than the acid moiety of a neutral salt. (1llus- 
trated by records of potassium bromide, sodium bromide, potassium chloride.) 
5. Illustrations of the action of alkaloids—morphine, atropine, aconitine, 
aconine, veratrine, curarine, digitaline. 
3. Structure of Nerve Cells as Shown by Wax Models. 
By Gustav Mann, ID. Edin. 
General Method of Making Wax Models.—(1) Fix in picro-corrosive fluid 
(sp. gr. 1:020), take through alcohol and paraffin. (2) Make a complete series of 
sections of known thickness. (8) Multiply the thickness by the magnifying 
power used to ascertain the thickness of each wax plate to be used, e.g., thickness 
of sections=5 micromillimeters, the magnification = 1,000, therefore each section 
to be represented by a wax plate 5,000 micromillimeters or 5 millimeters. (4) The 
wax plates 1-2} mm. thick, and for fine processes paper or cardboard soaked in 
wax. (5) With camera lucida make accurate outlines of all portions of cell and 
and all processes whether of same cell to be represented or others. (6) The trans- 
ferring paper for tracing outlines on the wax plates. (7) With sharp pointed knife 
cut out cell and its processes, if the latter are detached from the body of the cell 
leave them joined by strips of wax, which must be removed after fitting the various 
