Hello all,
In a fascinating presentation by F. S. Newcomer to the American Society of Microscopists in 1886, the following description of a fixative (used by Febiger) is given:
Glacial acetic acid . . . . . . . . . . . . f 3 xij.
Gelatine, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3ij.
Alcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. f3j.
What is the translation of this terminology to modern units ?
Thanks in advance.
How does this composition of fixative translate to modern units ?
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Re: How does this composition of fixative translate to modern units ?
I have heard of gelatin mountants, but not gelatin fixatives. I am at a loss as to how it would improve fixation.
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination
Re: How does this composition of fixative translate to modern units ?
Within this context, fixative means adhesive. Gelatine is a mountant for some preparations, e.g. plant sections. For diatom mounting it can serve as adhesive (=fixative), to restrain the diatoms from moving under the stresses imposed by the mounting process.BramHuntingNematodes wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:16 pmI have heard of gelatin mountants, but not gelatin fixatives. I am at a loss as to how it would improve fixation.
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Re: How does this composition of fixative translate to modern units ?
Hmm Gray attributes a similar formula to Ernesto Bellido (1897):Hobbyst46 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:45 pmWithin this context, fixative means adhesive. Gelatine is a mountant for some preparations, e.g. plant sections. For diatom mounting it can serve as adhesive (=fixative), to restrain the diatoms from moving under the stresses imposed by the mounting process.BramHuntingNematodes wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:16 pmI have heard of gelatin mountants, but not gelatin fixatives. I am at a loss as to how it would improve fixation.
Soak 6 grams gelatin in 48 ml of water overnight. Melt at 90 degrees C and add 50 ml acetic acid and 2 ml. alcohol.
1942 Bausch and Lomb Series T Dynoptic, Custom Illumination
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Re: How does this composition of fixative translate to modern units ?
Those are units in the old Apothecary system where "f" means "fluid", the symbol resembling a 3 is drams ( 1 dram =~3.5 ml) with the quantity given in Roman numerals. The "j" is probably another "i". Thus, glacial acetic acid becomes 12 fluid drams or ~ 42 ml, gelatin becomes 2 drams (1 dram =~3.9 grams) and 1 dram of alcohol. I've written a lot of prescriptions in my time and I hope this helps!
Perry
Insatiably curious.
Insatiably curious.
Re: How does this composition of fixative translate to modern units ?
Thanks a lot perrywespa !!perrywespa wrote: ↑Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:43 pmThose are units in the old Apothecary system where "f" means "fluid", the symbol resembling a 3 is drams ( 1 dram =~3.5 ml) with the quantity given in Roman numerals. The "j" is probably another "i". Thus, glacial acetic acid becomes 12 fluid drams or ~ 42 ml, gelatin becomes 2 drams (1 dram =~3.9 grams) and 1 dram of alcohol. I've written a lot of prescriptions in my time and I hope this helps!
I love the antique "Apotheque" with the 'Toxica" and "Separanda" signs...