The original paper on this stain is: Movat, HZ: Demonstration of all connective
tissue elements in a single section. Arch Pathol. 60: 289-295, 1955 
The alcian blue, which is converted to monastral fast blue by the alkaline
alcohol solution, stains ground substance.
The method can be found in Sheehan and Hrapchak: Theory and Practice of
Histotechnology

-----Original Message-----
From:	Mark Elliott [SMTP:MElliott@mrl.ubc.ca]
Sent:	Friday, August 06, 1999 11:08 AM
To:	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject:	Movat's pentachrome

We have a researcher here who is looking at Movat's pentachrome stained 
slides.  They are wanting to know what polysaccharides are stained by this 
method-is it all of them, or just a subset?  The hospital lab does the 
staining for us and we can't find a reference to the method in any of our 
textbooks.  Does anyone know the answer, or can they point me to 
reference?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Mark

Mark Elliott, PhD
Research Associate
UBC-Pulmonary Research Lab
St. Paul's Hospital
Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 1Y6
604-631-5351 (FAX)