All, It is interesting that the anatomy and pathology of wood and other
commercial products were among the earliest of material that were sectioned
with a microtome.  I wood refer you to the 1987, 2nd edition of "A History
of Microtechnique" by Professor Brian Bracegirdle: page 12 "Hill and the
microscopic anatomy of timber" The Hill Microtome and study are
published..J.Hill--"the construction of timber,from its early
growth;explained by the microscope,and proved from experiments,in a great
variety of kinds.(London:printed for the author (Hill), 1720) Wooden't you
think that any contemporary study of wood sectioning wood wish to include
this information!  Kindest regards. J.B.McCormick M.D.
pathologist,interested in the history of Histotechnology and friend of Brian
Bracegirdle.  
-----Original Message-----
From: Monson, Frederick C. [mailto:fmonson@wcupa.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 9:00 AM
To: 'List-HistoPath'
Cc: 'William Thoendel'
Subject: RE: Wood Sectioning


	Haven't the foggiest, Bill, and I hope you don't mind my letting the
list in on your question, because it raises an issue of some importance to
all of us.  I've never cut any, except with a saw.  Reason?  firewood.
Well, I did help with some roots, branches and bark once long ago.  For
parasites and structure, lo.
	Your hidden point, however, is very well taken.  If we ask questions
on our list without giving our reasons, then folks who look in from time to
time can't find a reason for some of the threads of conversation that go on.
I also was curious why anyone would waste good cherry on sections too, but
then, I realized, that one probably wouldn't.  So, the cherry for sectioning
must have been pathologic, except for the controls.
	
	I just know better than to try to section a pyramid (trapezoid) with
a height to base ratio greater than 0.7-1.0, or something like that.  I'm a
zoologist, or a chordate anatomist, or something like that, not a botanist.

Nebraska, eh?  Fear and trembling welling up inside.  Old memories rising!

An anxiety trip thru the heart of the mid-west.

	Nebraska!  Help!

	When last I flew o'er wide Nebraska,
	And saw those rounds of green sorbet,
	I neglected, then, my friend, to ask ya,
	Was that a geometer's whey to fillet?

	I saw those circles everywhere
	From way high up, and from the ground,
	And great big spaces in between,
	For walking round and round?

	For, once anon, I'd wandered West
	Among Nebraska's great green platters,
	Speed up!  Hurry!  Pass the rest!
	Nebraska's rounds left me in tatters.

	I knew when I was out of there,
	All the anxious feelings 'bated.
	No moire gyres did I encounter,	
	My need for squareness, finally sated. 

FCM '02 

Regards,

Fred Monson

Frederick C. Monson, PhD
The best research
Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging
occurs before work
West Chester University
at the bench.
West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, 19383
610-738-0437
fmonson@wcupa.edu	

> ----------
> From: 	William Thoendel
> Sent: 	Wednesday, February 27, 2002 12:44 AM
> To: 	fmonson@wcupa.edu
> Subject: 	Wood Sectioning
> 
> Hello from the Flatlands of Nebraska,,,
> What is the reason for sectioning of wood?
> For pathologic organisms??
> Help,
> Bill Thoendel
> Hoskins, Nebraska
> 
>