Abstract
Lebowich's technic is outlined for simultaneous dehydration and infiltration of tissues by a medium composed of stearic acid, 56° C. paraffin, diethylene glycol, and monoethanolamine. The prices and places where these materials may be purchased are given.
Tissue for sectioning is placed in acetone, C.P., for 1 hour, then put directly into the soap-wax medium at 60° C. under reduced pressure, and finally embedded in new soap-wax.
Modifications include a simplification of the apparatus used by Lebowich. A preserving jar fitted with a rubber stopper serves as a vacuum chamber, and use of an aspirator accomplishes the reduction of pressure. With invertebrate embryos up to 1000 μ diameter no reduction of pressure is needed. Embryos are fixed, washed, placed in acetone, infiltrated in soap-wax, and embedded.
By this soap-wax method the alcohols, xylene, and overnight drying of affixed ribbons are eliminated. Tissue may be fixed, sectioned, stained, and permanently mounted within 6 to 8 hours.