Paraffiin sections are decerated in xylene.  Most of us try to assure
patients or next-of-kin that their tissues are not "desecrated".

		-----Original Message-----
		From:	amos brooks [mailto:atbrooks@snet.net]
		Sent:	Friday, March 10, 2000 3:05 PM
		To:	cklein@mail.mdanderson.org
		Cc:	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
		Subject:	Re: Fixation time for mouse skin

		Hi,
		Wow! "dipped in paraffin"? I think that's the problem. The
infiltration should be the longest part of the process (next to fixation of
course). The paraffin needs to replace the xylene in the tissue. (hence
infiltration) Even if you happen to get a section of a poorly infiltrated
tissue, it will not stain well. After the section is taken it is desecrated
(xylene) and rehydrated (alcohols: 100% to water). If the xylene has not
been cleared out of the tissue with paraffin, your stain will show the
effects of the mixing of xylene and water.
		Amos Brooks