[Histonet] Flames at embedding centers

[Marcum, Pamela A]

We have days when one of the histologist who has been here for years and I (going in 50years) start talking about the good days and everyone here is under 40.  They look shocked and then disbelief and then they think we are kidding.  They are so sure we have always known which chemicals were dangerous or killers and no one could possibly ever have been so careless.  WOW!  I like to show them old equipment and ask how they think it might work in a lecture on tissue processing.  They have no clue about an open processor in small room with no ventilation and we worked in it with our open stains lines and flames on the counter.  Now it does sound scary!


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Blazek, Linda
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 3:04 PM
To: Jay Lundgren; Ludlow Patricia
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Flames at embedding centers

Grinning and remembering the "good old days".  What's more fun is the look of horror on the faces of the young ones when they hear it!

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jay Lundgren
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 2:42 PM
To: Ludlow Patricia
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Flames at embedding centers

    Ahh, the good old days of walking into the lab and lighting all the Bunsen burners first thing in the morning.  I didn't have any hair on my knuckles for years.  Embedding with a Coke on the cold plate, and a smoke in the ashtray next to you, anyone?  Good times.

     Now we have to use forceps warmers and change forceps between specimens.  If you get 3 or 4 pair of forceps, one will always be hot enough to use.  Also, there are embedding centers with heated forceps, which I love .
     Just remember to clean out the wells of the forceps warmers every day to prevent cross contamination.  Cotton applicator swabs work great for this.  And always keep a towel or gauze handy to wipe the tips of the forceps between specimens.  Forceps warmers unfortunately don't incinerate any stray tissue like a Bunsen burner did.

                       Sincerely,

                               Jay A. Lundgren, M.S., HTL (ASCP)

>
>
>
_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.