158 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
borax-carmine method must be employed as a double stain. Those 
preparations, especially after accepting the double stain, are very 
pleasing to the eye, and more beautiful than the Weigert specimens. I 
have also found that they retain their stain much better than Weigert’s. 
A serial section made over two years ago is in as good condition as ever. 
The advantages which these two methods offer must be apparent to 
the most astute observer. To possess a method or methods which will 
sharply and clearly define for us the limits and boundaries of the white 
and grey matter of the brain and cord is a desideratum. The differen- 
tiation between the two renders the study of pathological lesions very 
facile, and to follow these changes cephalad or caudad becomes a very 
easy matter. More especially in tracing separate bundles, or even 
individual nerve-fibres, have these methods shown their superiority over 
all others. The Weigert method surpasses the Pal in this respect, 
being more reliable and trustworthy, and yet with the latter I have 
traced individual fibres in the pons and medulla with surprising 
accuracy. Another use to which these specimens may be put is in the 
study of the changes which the white and grey matter undergo in the 
transition between cord, medulla, pons, and crura. With the aid of a 
magic lantern the topography of these regions can be intelligibly 
demonstrated to a large class, whereas formerly these parts were almost 
totally ignored on account of their complex aud complicated structure. 
For the study of angio-pathological and ganglionic changes I prefer 
the carmine stains to the Pal aud Weigert.” 
Reference Tables for Microscopical Work.* — In his fourth com- 
munication Prof. A. B. Aubert deals with anilin staining. 
Alum eosin : — Eosin, 1 part ; alum, 1 part ; alcohol, 200 parts. 
Reagent for haemoglobin. Specimens previously treated with osmic 
acid 1/2 per cent, for three minutes. Wash thoroughly before staining. 
Anilin blue (water solution): — Anilin blue, O’ 02 grm. ; water, 25 
ccm. ; alcohol, 25 to 30 drops. Specimens hardened in alcohol. 
Anilin black: — Anilin black, O' 5 grm.; alcohol, 99 ccm.; water, 
1-2 ccm. Stains in a few minutes ; for brain, &c. 
Bismarck brown : — (1 ) Concentrated aqueous solution, warm, or weak 
alcoholic solution. (2) Bismarck brown, 1 part ; water, 3000 to 5000 
parts. For protoplasm, connective tissue, bacteria, living organisms, 
&c. Material to be hardened in alcohol or chromic acid ; wash in 
absolute alcohol. Mount in glycerin or balsam. 
Borax methylin blue : — Concentrated aqueous solution of blue, 24 
vols. ; borax solution, 5 per cent.,- 16 vols. ; water, 40 vols. Dissolve, 
filter after 24 hours. 
Chinolin blue : — Aqueous solution, 1-100,000 to 1-500,000. For 
living organisms (water analysis), &c. 
Dahlia or Hoffman’s violet ; — Glacial acetic acid, 12-5 ccm. ; abso- 
lute alcohol, 50 ccm. ; water, 100 ccm. ; dahlia nearly to saturation. 
For axis-cylinder of nerves, protoplasm, nucleus. Stains in 12 hours 
or less. 
Eosin : — Water solution, or water solution and one-tliird of alcohol ; 
or eosin, 1 part; water, 1000 to 1500 parts. For epithelium, muscle, 
The Microscope, xi. (1891) pp. 270-2. 
