Cindy,  Jill makes a good suggestion, use fresh ammonium hydroxide, but I
remember it takes quite alot of ammonium hydroxide to turn about 40 - 50 ml
(or coplin jar-full) of 20% silver nitrate.  About 7 - 7.5 ml worth.  So if
you are adding hydroxide drop by drop by a pipette like you do for other
silver stains you would be standing what it seems like forever before it
clears up.  So if you think you've only put in a small amount of hydroxide
keep adding until it turns.   I thought I was always doing something wrong,
but it just takes alot of hydroxide to do the job.
Nancy.


Nancy Weber
Research Associate
Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Ohio State University
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: DELONG_CYNTHIA_A@LILLY.COM
  To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
  Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 12:03 PM
  Subject: Bielschowsky



  Ok,  I am having a problem bringing the silver back to clear is there a
trick to this?   I know that my silver is a ph of about 4.7 and when I add
the ammonium it raises the ph.   Does that mean that the purpose of this is
to make it basic or neutral?   I have went through 3 batches of silver right
now??   I am truly frustrated..
  The silver will go black but not turn back.   When I let it sit it will go
clear of course the black precipitate is in the bottom.   Any clues sure
would help Thanks
  Cindy