A rapid methylene blue‐basic fuchsin stain for semi‐thin sections of peripheral nerve and other tissues

SUMMARY Differential histological staining of various tissues is achieved in epon, araldite or glycol methacrylate sections 0·25–0·5 μ thick, from human, guinea‐pig and rat origin. The staining procedure is as follows: 1% methylene blue in 1% borax 15–30 sec at 70°C; wash in hot water; 2% basic fuchsin in distilled water 1–2 min at room temperature; wash and mount in DPX. Results : with all tissues: nuclei pale violet, cytoplasm blue. Special histological components: collagen red, myelin deep blue, elastin deep violet, axoplasm pale blue. Although of general utility the method is especially useful for peripheral nerve and blood vessels.