Chromic Acid and Spirit.—Chromic acid one-sixth per cent., water solution two parts, and methylated spirit one part. This reagent hardens in about ten days. Then transfer to methylated spirit, which should be changed every day until all colour is discharged from the tissue. This is a suitable reagent for the preparation of cartilage, nerve trunks, heart, lips, blood vessels, trachea, lungs, tongue, intestines, and gullet.
Potassium Bichromate.—-Make a two per cent. water solution of this salt. This will harden specimens in about three weeks. Then transfer the preparation to methylated spirit, and change it every day until all colour is discharged. This is suitable for spinal cord, medulla, cerebellum, and cerebrum.
Müller’s Fluid.—Bichromate of potash 30 grains, sulphate of soda 15 grains, distilled water 3½ ounces. This hardens in from three to six weeks. Then transfer, as before, to methylated spirits, and change it every day until colour ceases to appear. Most suitable for lymphatic glands, eye-ball and its internal structures, as well as for tendons, and thymus gland.
Methylated Spirit may be generally employed, but it has a tendency to shrink some tissues too much; it hardens in about ten days. It is usual to change the spirit daily, for the first three days at least. Skin, mammary gland, supra-renal glands, tonsils, and all injected organs may be hardened in it. (See note on the adulteration of methylated spirit with rack-oil, which utterly spoils it for use.)
Decalcifying solution for bones and teeth. Take one-sixth per cent. watery solution of chromic acid, and to every measured ounce add five drops of nitric acid. This reagent will soften the femur of any small animal in about three weeks; larger require a longer time. Change the fluid several times, and test its action by running a needle through the thickest part of the bone. Should it not pass through easily, then continue the process until it does. When soft enough transfer to water, let it soak for an hour or two, then pour off the water and add ten per cent. solution of carbonate of soda, and soak for twelve hours to remove all trace of acid. Wash again in water, and transfer to methylated spirit until required. Teeth require a large quantity of the decalcifying solution for softening.
Microtomes.—The simplest form of “hand-cutting machine” is that worked by a screw, which raises the preparation, and at the same time regulates the fineness of the section. When a number of sections are required, or when a complete series of sections of an organ is desired, Cole’s simple microtome ([Fig. 233]) is in every way adapted.
Fig. 232.—Hand Section Cutter.
Fig. 233.—Cole’s Section Cutting Microtome.