LöFfler's Method

1. Flood the cover-glass with the following solution, which should be filtered before using:

Aqueous solution of tannic acid (20 per cent.). 10 c.c. Cold saturated solution of ferrous sulphate.... 5 " Saturated aqueous or alcoholic solution of gentian-violet or fuchsin..................... 1 "

This is very gently heated, not boiled, for about one minute.

2. Wash in water.

3. Stain in anilin gentian-violet or anilin-fuchsin with gentle heating thirty to sixty seconds.

4. Wash, dry, and mount.

Bowhill's Method

Stain the cover-glass in the following solution, heating gently for ten to fifteen minutes:

Saturated alcoholic solution of orcein......... 10 c.c.

Aqueous solution of tannin (20:80).......... 10 "

Distilled water............................. 30 "

Filter the mixture before using. The orcein stain should be at least nearly two weeks old.

In staining sections for bacteria Gram's method or that used for the tubercle bacillus is generally employed. Better results are obtained with paraffin sections, but celloidin may be used.