Um. Maybe we're just weird here in flyover country, but I learned to 
use, and have always used, forceps. And applicator sticks.
Frankly, I'm clumsy enough that I don't see how anyone can coverslip 
using their fingers, gloved or not.

Phil

>If it is true that nitrile gloves let through xylene after a few 
>minutes, the whole argument is in tatters. It has amused me 
>somewhat. Of course, both sides are right - it's all a matter of 
>relativity - sorta safe and kinda risky:-)
>
>Dr Terry L Marshall, B.A.(Law), M.B.,Ch.B.,F.R.C.Path
>  Consultant Pathologist
>  Rotherham General Hospital
>  South Yorkshire
>  England
>         terry.marshall@rothgen.nhs.uk
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: John Auld [mailto:John.Auld@whnt.nhs.uk]
>Sent: 23 April 2003 09:13
>To: HistoNet Server
>Subject: Re: Coverslipping and gloves
>
>
>
>It's suddenly got a bit heated, anyway without taking sides. I recollect
>being told at a safety seminar, sorry no references etc, that although
>nitrile gloves do not dissolve in xylene they are NOT resistant. The
>presenter said nitrile allowed xylene to penetrate after a very few
>minutes, forget the exact figure but it's no more than one or two. The only
>safe way IMHO is to use an automated coverslipper.
>
>Regards
>
>John
>
>John Auld FIBMS MSc
>Dept of Histopathology and Clinical Cytology
>Arrowe Park Hospital
>Arrowe Park Road
>Upton
>Wirral
>UK

-- 
Philip Oshel
Supervisor, BBPIC microscopy facility
Department of Animal Sciences
University of Wisconsin
1675 Observatory Drive
Madison,  WI  53706 - 1284
voice: (608) 263-4162
fax: (608) 262-5157 (dept. fax)