Bob,

When I was a small boy, I was both obstreperous and wiggly! 
Do you think that the very small amount of yellow#5, that was present(
mainly in orange juice and dried eggs) in a wartime diet in the UK, accounts
for my fondness for PAS counterstained with Tartrazine?
BTW I'd love to hear the yarn about Martius yellow.

Bryan

> ----------
> From: 	RSRICHMOND@aol.com[SMTP:RSRICHMOND@aol.com]
> Sent: 	October 7, 1999 8:41 AM
> To: 	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: 	yellow counterstains (was Thomas Histology)
> 
> Hewlett Bryan notes: 
> 
> >>I have used saturated tartrazine in 70% cellosolve as a counterstain to
> PAS 
> for over 35 years. The solution is much more stable than Metanil yellow. 
> Martius yellow is an excellent alternative, as is an alcoholic solution of
> 
> Picric acid. I know, I know!!! All you safety minded people stay OFF my 
> back!<<
> 
> Tartrazine (C.I. 19140) is the infamous F.D.C. Yellow #5, the food
> additive 
> without which junk food as we know it would not be possible. This odd fact
> 
> may account for the rather ominous warning labels I've sometimes seen on 
> containers of tartrazine for laboratory use. It would appear to be a
> minimal 
> risk laboratory chemical.
> 
> It's an Article of Faith in Alternative Medicine that F.D.C. Yellow #5 is
> the 
> Great Satan of junk food, or one of them at any rate, though I think the 
> evidence here is fairly minimal. Perhaps the most convincing accusation - 
> probably not very convincing - is that it has something to do with the 
> obstreperous wiggliness of small boys.
> 
> I have a yarn about Martius yellow (C.I. 10315) too, but it probably
> doesn't 
> belong in this thread (arrgh!)
> 
> Bob Richmond
> Samurai Pathologist
> Knoxville TN
>