Maybe it is the acetic acid in Bouin's that is the "active ingredient" for dye adherence!
Tim Morken Supervisor, Histology / IPOX UCSF Medical Center San Francisco, CA -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Galbraith, Joe Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 10:49 AM To: Robert Richmond; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Ink issues I concur with the Samurai Pathologist. Long ago, we used Bouin's but have stopped that procedure and prefer to just blot dry but do also use 3% acetic acid, especially if blotting could potentially damage a delicate tissue. Good luck. Joe Galbraith University of Iowa joseph-galbra...@uiowa.edu -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Richmond Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 12:24 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Ink issues About what to put on tissue to make the marking ink stick to it: I don't use anything. The trick is to blot the surfaces thoroughly dry with a paper towel before you try to put the ink on. Of course, there's nothing you can use that will make ink adhere well to cauterized surfaces (some breast biopsy specimens, LEEP cones, and such. The pathologist can however identify cauterized margins under the microscope.) Because of the picric acid (and because it stains your clothes) Bouin's fixative is unacceptable. So is acetone, which is a serious explosion hazard. If you must use something, use 3% acetic acid (white vinegar diluted half-strength). I've been grossing since 1965, worked on maybe sixty different pathology services. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet