[Histonet] Re: Higgins ink

[Robert Richmond]

Allison Scott HT(ASCP), Histology Supervisor, LBJ Hospital, Houston, Texas asks:

>>Our [pathologist's assistant] used Higgins ink (india ink) on some skin specimens and set the ink with 10% acetic acid solution. After the specimens were processed, all of the ink was gone, washed off. We have regular alcohols and xylene on the processor, this should not have made
the ink wash off. Any suggestions on why it washed off, how to prevent
this from happening again.<<

My guess is that you got the wrong kind of India ink - there are
several varieties for special purposes, and I don't understand this
issue very well. I've often bought my own Higgins india ink at art
supply stores, always getting the plainest variety I could, and never
had trouble with it - but I should learn the specifications better. I
never fix ink with anything - if you blot the specimen good and dry,
the india ink (or Davidson's ink) will adhere quite well. If you do
prefer to use a fixative, use dilute acetic acid - acetone is a fire
hazard, and we all know the dangers of the picric acid in Bouin's
fixative.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN