FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 
17 
Sliding Microtome .—This type of microtome (see Fig. 9) is adapted 
for cutting all kinds of sections. It consists of an iron supporting 
fame of horizontal and upright portions. The horizontal base rests 
on the table and is hollowed out to accommodate a drip pan that 
can readily be removed and cleaned. 
The front of the upright portion exhibits a frame which accomo¬ 
dates a sliding feed mechanism to which is attached the object 
carrier. The top of the upright portion 
shows a V shaped bed which carries a 
solid iron block which can be readily 
slid along the bed when the latter is 
lubricated with paraffin oil. The upper 
surface of the block is grooved to ac¬ 
comodate the thumb screw. The 
microtome knife consists of a blade 
Fig. 8.^ —Hand microtome. Fig. 9. —A sliding microtome. Blade (a); lever 
Description in text. (b). (From McJunkin.) 
portion, that is flat on its lower and hollow ground on its upper 
face, and a forked handle. The latter is slid into the stem of the 
thumb screw which has previously been slid into the groove of 
the block and its position adjusted. Sections of woody material 
can be cut directly on this microtome and placed in dilute alcohol. 
When paraffine sections are cut, the cutting edge of the knife 
should be parallel to the motion but when celloidin sections are 
desired the knife must be set at an oblique angle to the frame 
and drawn across the block with a long sliding motion. The knife 
