On Tue, 25 May 1999, Searcy, Nita J. wrote:

> Any new inventions on flooring in histology labs? I have an opportunity to
> put down what is best in a new lab.

  I suggest a thick, white, woollen carpet. It will soak up the spills
  and eliminate the need to call in the janitorial staff with their
  mops and respirators. Most of the stains we use work best on 
  proteinaceous substrates such as silk or wool. When it's time for
  the next new floor, cut the old carpet into suitable squares and
  rectangles and sell them as unique and brightly coloured works
  of art. If you use only pre-made solutions of H & E in a machine,
  the financial return on the artistic value could be disappointing.
  My advice is aimed mainly at those who still boil their own Schiff's
  reagent, do silver methods, and have filter funnels that are not
  big enough. Their carpet squares, tastefully framed, will sell
  well in the fine arts auctions. Every black spot, magenta splash
  and alcian blue footprint will tell its own story to the lucky
  bidder at Sotheby's. I wish I could choose my lab floor.

  Yours, green with envy,

     John A. Kiernan,
     Department of Lousy Linoleum,
     The University of Western Ontario,
     LONDON,  Canada  N6A 5C1