Ester Wax: A New Embedding Medium

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ester wax is a new ribboning embedding medium. It consists of five substances which may be varied in proportion so that media of different characteristics may be produced. A mixture which will meet most requirements is as follows: The following facts relate to this mixture: Melting-point. 46-8° C. Section range. 2-20 μ at a room temperature of 64° F. Ribbon range. 2-15 μ at a room temperature of 64° F. Final compression loss. 7·6 per cent, at 10μ (after flattening). Solvents. Alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, chlorinated hydrocarbons, natural oils, &c. Cutting. This must be done more slowly than with paraffin wax. Flattening. Sections may be flattened on tap-water or aqueous staining solutions. Flattening must be completed in a drying oven at 40-5° C. with sufficient water under the sections to float them. Staining. Two methods: (1) In the ribbon; (2) As for paraffin wax sections. Pre-mounting fluid. Xylene, benzene, ligroin, &c. Mounting fluid. ‘Sira’, or Kirkpatrick and Lendrum’s polystyrene mounting medium. Conclusion. It is believed that ester wax may open up new methods in histology and cytology. Its greater water tolerance and its property of ribbon staining followed by drying constitute an advantage found in no other embedding medium. Greater use of the wide range of solvents as stain carriers is indicated.