Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques

TLDR

The second edition of this book provides a comprehensive, well‑written overview of histological techniques, covering 31 chapters by 22 authors that span routine and special stains, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, histomorphometry, plastic embedding, autoradiography, bone evaluation, fixation, safety, and staining theory. The review identified only a few omissions, notably Bank’s zinc‑sulfate secondary fixation, Michel’s transport‑fixative for immunoglobulin preservation, Wright’s potassium permanganate method for distinguishing AA amyloid, and Warkel’s modified Warthin‑Starry stain for melanin.

Abstract

The second edition of this book is a complete and well-written work on histological techniques, and I recommend it highly. Its 31 chapters and 22 authors leave very little subject matter untreated. In addition to chapters on routine and special stains, there are chapters on electron microscopy, including the techniques of scanning electron microscopy, electron probe, freeze fracture, and electron immunohistochemistry; on immunohistochemistry, including the newer<i>p</i>-aminophenazone (PAP) immunoperoxidase method; on histomorphometry, including stereology; on plastic-embedding techniques; on autoradiography; and on bone evaluation, including quantitation of osteoid in undecalcified specimens. These appear with excellent discussions of fixation, laboratory safety, staining theory, frozensection techniques, and amyloid. Potentially important omissions were few but included Bank's method for secondary fixation with zinc sulfate,¹Michel's transport-fixative solution for preservation of immunoglobulins,²Wright's potassium permanganate technique for differentiating AA amyloid from other amyloids,³Warkel's modified Warthin-Starry stain for melanin,⁴use