The Use of a Fabric Softener in the Reconstitution of Mummified Tissue Prior to Paraffin Wax Sectioning for Light Microscopical Examination

Abstract

A method of reconstituting mummified tissues using the fabric softener "Comfort" is described. Routine histological paraffin wax sections were prepared following overnight treatment at room temperature with a 0.2% solution of this substance in isotonic saline. A comparison of results obtained by this method is made with those obtained using Ruffer's and Sandison's solutions. Nuclear stains gave poor results whereas connective tissue stains demonstrated their respective fibers by all rehydration methods.