Microscopy Forum

Does anyone know the proper method of using wrights blood stain?
The contents of this product are wrights stain powder, glyocerin , methyl alcohol
I have called the company where I got it at and they weren't very helpful. I have looked on the Internet and found some info but still not sure.
After the smear drys is fixation needed? Some have said so and others say it can be skipped  then how long does one leave the stain on for and then rinse with water or alcohol ?is a buffer needed. I have actually found so many different variations that I'm quite confused.
I did look on the company's web site and this is an unbuffered stain.
Also messing around with anybody's else's  blood can be very hazardous to your health so be very carful and use the proper protective equipment.

Ok I found this also

Wright Stain
(1) Absolute methanol. (2) Staining solution (which can be pur- chased as a ready-made solution or as a powder from commercial sources). Typically, 0.3 g of Wright stain powder is dissolved in 100 mL absolute methanol and left in a closed container at room temperature for 24 hours. It must be filtered before use. (3) Sörensen’s buffer solution at pH 6.4; KH2PO4, anhydrous 6.63 g; Na2HPO4, anhydrous 2.56 g; distilled water up to 1000 mL.
Fix for at least 30 seconds in absolute methanol.
Remove methanol by tilting the slide.
Apply staining solution for 2 minutes on a horizontally positioned slide.
Add aliquot of the buffer solution without any of the stain running off the slide. Gently mix the buffer and stain with- out touching the surface of the blood film on the slide (a metallic sheen will appear on the surface of the staining solution mixture).
Let stand for 3 minutes.
Rinse the slide with (distilled) water for 30 seconds.
Dry the slide in a tilted position; do not blot-dry.
Mount a coverglass if desired.

I found yet another site this one will come in handy if I can remember how to find it,

It has a lot of info for various stains and procedures

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/li…..xpert.html