Haematoxylin was first used by CG Reichel (1758), as
unmordanted logwood, to stain vessels in plant tissues.
It was next mentioned in a microtechnique book by
Quekett (1848). Bohmer (1865) first used haematoxylin
with alum (haemalum, or hemalum if you're an American).
Numerous mixtures followed, including that of the great
Paul Ehrlich (1886). The first author to recognize the
nature of "ripening" (oxidation of colourless
haematoxylin to yellow haematein) was Mayer (1891). The
first use of a haemalum in conjunction with an eosin
was Wissowzky (1876).

To put things in a historical context all these
discoveries and nearly all the classical descriptions
of cells and tissues predate the introduction of
formaldehyde as a fixative (probably Hauser 1893, for
bacterial cultures on gelatin).

No, I don't carry all this stuff in my head!  I've got
a copy of the 10th edition of "Conn's Biological
Stains" (2002). Chapter 2 by B. Bracegirdle (pp.15-21)
is "The History of Staining." The references cited
above about haematoxylin are in the book's common
bibliography. The only one I've read myself is Ehrlich
(1886), a half-page paper. I'm taking the others on
trust, so you'll need to check them out yourself. The
Hauser reference is also one not seen by me - cited
from JF Walker's "Formaldehyde," 3rd ed p.577 (1964).

There is a book, "History of Staining" by G Clark & FH
Kasten, 3rd ed 1983 (Williams & Wilkins). It was
sponsored by the Biological Stain Commission and is out
of print. I don't own a copy, and didn't drive in to
the library at 11pm before typing this answer. There's
more information about the early days of H and E
(separately and combined) in that book.

Sorry I can't provide verified answers to your
questions. Bracegirdle's chapter (easily available) and
the Clark & Kasten book (if you can find it) will
direct you to the primary sources. 

Do not quote anything in this casual email as any kind
of "source." For all you know, I could have made it all
up, just for the fun of deceiving people. I didn't, but
you have only my word for that. Even if you believe
that JA Kiernan is honest, this message could be from
JOL Roger, who can easily send messages apparently from
other people's email addresses.

In good faith, I wish you well with your historical
stainology. 
Check out the Biological Stain Commission web site:
http://www.biostains.org
This may have links to other people interested in
historical aspects of staining. I'm not one of them.
Fred Kasten is still academically active in the field
of the history of staining. 

-------------------------
John A. Kiernan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
London,   Canada   N6A 5C1
   kiernan@uwo.ca
   http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/
______________________________________
Rana Hay wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> I am trying to trace information on the historical aspects of H&E
> ,especially the use of Haematoxylin.Are you able to help me?When was it
> introduced & by whom.etc
> 
> Thank you,
> Rana hay
> --
>   Rana Hay
>   ranahay@fastmail.fm

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