Cruised my bookshelf and reread A Carbohydrate Stain Reference Manual,
published by the National Society for Histotechnology, 1989. 

This is an excellent reference for those needing alcian blue (various pH's)
and combinations with other stains, Carmine, mucicarmine, collodial iron,
PAS, congo red, 
toluidine blue, allochrome, 1 hr Movats pentachrome, and a connective
tissue stain (Pamihall).  

Protocols, recipes, mode of action, controls, fixation, etc all included
and best of all, adequate color photos for each stain - something rarely
seen in a histotechnology textbook for each procedure.  One caveat, the
Harris hematoxylin is the older, classic recipe, containing mercuric oxide,
easily remedied with a sodium iodate substitution or commercially prepared
reagent  

Book is inexpensive and certainly a valuable addition to any histo lab,
particularly in light of the recent Schiffs reagent discussions.  

Contact Histo@nsh.org for ordering information.


Gayle Callis
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-4705
406 994-4303