Golgi'S Dichromate-Silver Method 3. Chromating Fluids

Abstract

Slices of cat brains that had been fixed in 10% aqueous formalin for various periods from 2 days to over a year were subjected to different types of chromation prior to impregnation with silver nitrate. Acid solutions of Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Ni, Sr and Zn chromates were tested for usefulness as chromating agents. The chromates of Cd, Co, K, Sr and Zn were found to be best; Ca, Ce and Ni gave positive results, but Al, Ba, Cu and Fe were quite unsatisfactory. Acetic acid was somewhat preferable to formic as the acidifying agent. A formula consisting of potassium chromate, 5% aq., 100 ml. and glacial acetic acid 6–8 ml. was found to be similar in action to comparable mixtures that contained the chromate of Cd, Co, Sr or Zn. Brain slices chromated 24–48 hours in these acidified chromates and silvered in 0.75–1.0% silver nitrate for 12–24 hours at 37–40° C. gave at least three times as many good preparations as similar specimens chromated with plain potassium dichromate solution.