Hi Hedley and Margaret, a note from another oldie,
	if you are staining several large celloidin sections, instead of using
hockey sticks (which are excellent for small sections) we used to arrange
the sections around a glass jar and hold in place with a rubber band. This
will allow several sections to be stained at one time. You have to ensure
that the band is not over the section and the stain is trapped in this
area. When reaching the dehydration stage, the elastic bands will dissolve
in the chloroform/alcohol mixture. (this is a useful humbling experience
for those who think they can do histotechnique as well as trained techs. 
To prevent brittleness of the celloidin in xylene, can substitute terpineol
(oil of lilacin). This allows the celloidin to remain supple and aids in
the flattening under the coverglass. Terpineol does not dry well so that
there is no rush to mount the sections. Sections are mounted on slide and
most of the terpineol removed using bibulous paper backed with filter
paper, then mountant, lead or brass weights etc.
Three other small points. 
Celloidin will prevent the penetration of enzymes so have to be careful
with some histochemical techniques.
Second, some stains such as celestine blue will permanently chnge the
celloidin and provide a very attractive blue background which your
pathologist may not appreciate.
Finally, celloidin , due to the slower penetration of reagents are often
better stained using dilute stains for longer times.
Barry

At 08:51 AM 6/14/99 +0100, you wrote:
>Hi, do folks out there know what a hockey stick is? With modern techniques,
>charged slides, etc, I doubt if they are used. Just in case, what you do is
>melt a glass rod ( or glass pasteur) in a bunsen flame and produce a curve at
>the end, resembling the old fashioned style of hockey stick, more like a
>backwards L than a modern style Indian hockey stick. Your safety regulations
>may require that you get a glass blower to make them for you.
>Margaret
>Unilever research
>Beds
>UK
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From:	Hedley David Glencross [SMTP:hedley@hheath.demon.co.uk]
>Sent:	Monday, June 07, 1999 6:39 PM
>To:	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
>Subject:	celloidin sections