Matthew, I worked with pathologists who would use blueing to mark the margins.  Perhaps your pathologist is confusing starch with blueing.  Both are regular laundry products and often were used in rinse water.  You might get some laundry
blueing (used to whiten whites, etc) and try it for him.
Sharon Osborn B.S., HT(ASCP)CT
Pacifica, CA.94044
650.557.0653

histologist@paraffin.co.uk wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> The Prof. in our department has asked me to try to find a method of marking excision margins that uses Starch.  He says he last saw this method in Sweden some years ago and liked it because the crystals make the margins very easy to see.
>
> I have to admit I don't know this method at all and I have been busily trying to convince him that he wants something else to keep the costs (of disposable microtome blades) down.
>
> If anyone has any information on this marking technique I'd be glad to hear from them.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Matt.
>
> _____________________________
> Matthew R. Ibbs MSc BSc FIBMS
>
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