A method i have used in the past is a Hematoxylin / phloxine B.  For all
intents and purposes, it is an H&E... just substituting the E for Phloxine.
 The Phloxine B is prepared in a 0.1% Calcium chloride solution (aq) and is
discarded after use (this solution doesn't keep very well, so I only
prepare the amount I need).  The sections stain for 30 minutes in the
hematox, and in the phloxine for 1 minute.  Otherwise, it's your garden
variety H&E.

Connie McManus


At 02:17 PM 8/1/01 -0500, Barry Rittman wrote:
>I agree with Gayle re osteoid staining. You can demonstrate osteoid
>using  a good H and E.  There must however be hundreds of opinions
>regarding  what is a good H and E.
>I think that we have to accept the fact that  H and E can be used in
>different ways to demonstrate different histologic features to their
>best advantage. A weak eosin will often still allow eosinophils to be
>easily located and identified.
>I think that one of the problems that I have encountered is the eosin
>counterstain. Here in the States the most common method seems to be to
>use alcoholic eosin and an alcohol differentiation.  The technique that
>I was taught (admittedly in the middle ages) was to use an aqueous
>solution containing eosin Y and B. After staining there was an initial
>differentiation in tap water and a rapid dehydration. In my opinion this
>produces a counterstain with a broader range of shades of the eosin than
>can be achieved using alcoholic differentiation.  Having said that, to
>show the osteoid to its best advantage as a clear pale pink, you will
>have to accept a weak eosin staining in other areas such as the
>previously mineralized bone.
>Barry
>
>
>
>

Veterinary Diagnostics Lab
Utah State Univ