Staining of Nerve Fibers with Methylene Blue Factors Improving the Staining

Abstract
Several factors influencing the staining of nerve fibers with methylene blue, especially the influence of chloralhydrate and carbamylcholine chloride (as parasympathicotonics), and of some anesthetics were studied. The intestines of mouse, rat, and guinea pig were used. The following immersion technic is suggested: Tissue from animals anesthetised by chloralhydrate is immersed in: zinc free methylene blue, 0.03%; sodium tartrate, 0.5%; sodium pyruvate, 0.05% carbamylcholine, 0.00005%; 0.2 M Na2HPO4, 0.77%; 0.1 M citric acid, 0.18%; NACl, 0.79%; also an anesthetic which varies with the animal selected. Air is kept bubbling through the staining solution and microscopic examination is made at 6 min. intervals. After 0.5–1 hr. the tissue is fixed in: ammonium molyb-date, 10 g.; sucrose, 35 g.; distilled water, 100 ml.; to which is added just before use, 1% platinum chloride, 3 ml.; 2% osmic acid, 3 drops. Washing is in ice cold water and dehydration at 0°C. in Lang's fluids (varying mixtures of ethanol and n-butanol). The tissues thus prepared are stored in liquid paraffin.

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