Dear Stan,

> I am using mayers and we are experiencing difficulties. The stain is too 
> pale.
> I am looking for different methods of making up mayers.
> 
Try the following:

GARVEY'S MODIFIED MAYER'S HAEMATOXYLIN

NOTES:
This solution is a progressive haematoxylin that uses 10% less alum. Chloral hydrate, because of its toxicity, has been replaced with ethanol, a more effective penetrator and bacteriostat. Mercury oxide has been replaced with sodium iodite.

SOLUTION:
Dissolve 45g ammonium or potassium alum in 900ml distilled water with the aid of heat.
Dissolve 2.5g Haematoxylin  in 100ml absolute ethanol. 
Combine above solutions and add 0.2g Sodium Iodite and 1g citric acid.
Mix well. The solution is stable for several months.
STAINING:
1.	Dewax and hydrate sections.
2.	Stain in modified Mayer's Haematoxylin 40secs.
3.	Wash in warm water 5min.
4.	If required, counterstain in eosin solution.
5.	Dehydrate, clear and mount.

REFERENCE:
Garvie, W., (1991) J. Histotechn 14(3):164-165.

Regards,  Tony
. 
Tony Henwood
Senior Scientist
Anatomical Pathology
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney, AUSTRALIA

http://www2.one.net.au/~henwood
http://www.pathsearch.com/homepages/TonyHenwood/default.html