FIXING AND HARDENING AGRNTS. 55 



it is the glacial acid that is meant unless the contrary is 

 stated. 



All liquids containing a large proportion of this acid (e. g. 



time. 



§^ 85, 86) should only be allowed to act for a very short 



85. Acetic Alcohol (Carnoy, La Cellule, iii, 1886, p. 6; and 

 ibid., 1887, p. 276; v. Beneden et Neyt, Bull. Ac. Sci. Belg., 

 xiv, 1887, p. 218 ; Zachakias, Anat. Ana., iii, 1888, pp, 

 24 — 27; V. G-EHUCHTEN, ihid., 8, p. 227). — Caenoy has given 

 two foi'mulae for this important reagent. The first is — 

 Glacial acetic acid . . .1 part. 



Absolute alcohol . . .3 parts. 



The second is — 



Glacial acetic acid . . .1 part. 



Absolute alcohol . . .6 parts. 



Ghlorofoi'm . . . . 3 „ 



The addition of chloroform is said to render the action of 

 the mixture more rapid. 



V. Beneden and Neyt take equal volumes of glacial acid 

 and absolute alcohol. 

 Zachaeias takes — 



Glacial acetic acid . . .1 part. 



Absolute alcohol . . .4 parts. 



Osmic acid . . . .a few drops. 



Acetic alcohol is one of the most penetrating and quickly 

 acting fixatives known. It preserves both nuclei and cyto- 

 plasm, and admits of staining in any way that may be 

 preferred. It was employed by all of the authors quoted 

 for the ova of Ascaris — proverbially one of the most difficult 

 objects to fix,- — but I have found that it is applicable to 

 many other objects. Wash out with alcohol, and avoid 

 aqueous liquids as far as possible in the after-treatment. 



86. Acetic Alcohol with Sublimate.— Gaknoy and Lebeun {Tm 

 Cellule, xiii, 1, 1887, p. 68, due to Gilson). 



Absolute alcohol . . . .1 vol. 



Glacial acetic acid . . . 1 „ 



Chloroform . . . . . 1 „ 



Sublimate to saturation. 



