[Histonet] Re: Hematoxylin

[RSRICHMOND <@t> aol.com]

Mark Lewis, Product Specialist, Anatomical Pathology, Clinical Diagnostics, 
Thermo Electron Corporation asks us:

>>I'm taking a survey to find out which type of Hematoxylin is most commonly 
used in Histology and Cytology labs.<<

And Gary Gill responds: >>I recommend Gill's for everything.  ;-)

The Gill hematoxylins are iodate-oxidized (Mayer) hematoxylins. I believe - 
please comment on this, Gary - that the term "Gill hematoxylin" is proprietary 
and cannot be used without Gary Gill's permission.

The term "Harris hematoxylin" is correctly applied only to hematoxylins 
oxidized with mercuric oxide. Since mercury is a hazmat that (usually) is not 
permitted in present-day histology labs, the term "Harris hematoxylin" has come to 
mean any alum hematoxylin that the Marketing Department decides to call Harris 
hematoxylin. This usage is deplorable. Iodate-oxidized hematoxylins should 
not be called Harris hematoxylin.

Bob Richmond
still the Samurai Pathologist
Gastonia NC