Squashing Under Scotch Tape No. 665 for Autoradio-Graphic and Permanent Histologic Preparations

Abstract

Removal of the cover slip from squash preparations, for coating with auto-radiographic emulsion, or other purposes, is made easy if squashing is performed with a piece of Scotch double-coated adhesive tape No. 665, used as a cover slip. The material to be squashed is placed on a slide lightly coated with an adhesive consisting of 1% gelatin with 0.1% chrome alum added. The piece of tape is applied with the surface originally on the outside of the roll next to the specimen. Specimens should be soaked before squashing in aqueous 45% acetic acid, with or without added dye, such as carmine or orcein. After squashing, the tape is easily removed without damage to the cells. This allows autoradiographic emulsion to be applied, or, unstained material can be stained after squashing by technics suitable for microtome sections.