We used "coated slides" either silane, or now we use Superfrost Plus slides
for anything crunchy that has a habit of falling off.  As for the staining
we didn't have any trouble after cutting most of the time.  You could try
giving your block a soak in your waterbath and then cooling it on ice before
cutting.  This makes it cut much easier and they tend to stay on more.

Even with all the tricks and luck, sometimes they still fall off!  Believe
me don't take it personal, toenails are ornery specimens to deal with!

Good luck!

Kathy Johnston
Tech II - Special Stains
Anatomic Pathology - Foothills Medical Center
Calgary Laboratory Services
Ph - 403-670-4760
Fax - 403-270-4093
kathy.johnston@cls.ab.ca


-----Original Message-----
From: Anita Westbrook [mailto:awestbr@sehosp.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 2:29 PM
To: histonet
Subject: Sectioning and processing toenails


Can anyone offer some tips and techniques on processing and staining
toenails and staining with a PAS stain for fungus.  I am having trouble just
getting the sections to stay on the slides if they don't "blow apart" first
on the water bath!  There has to be a way, it's driving me nuts!!  Thanks
for your suggestions.  Anita


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