Altman Methods
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Altman methods are laboratory techniques developed in 1880 for fixing and staining tissues to detect chondriosomes. The methods include a fixing solution and a staining technique used in histological research.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Altman Methods (1880). At present, Altman's mixture serves mainly for the detection of chondriosomes (see). 1. Altman's fixing mixture consists of equal parts of 2% osmic acid and 5% potassium bichromate, containing no free chromic acid. The mixture is prepared ex tempore. Method of application: pieces of tissue are fixed in liquid A for 24 hours, washed in running water, dehydrated in alcohols, and embedded in paraffin (see Histological technique, Altman granularity). 2. Altman's staining for the detection of bioplasts (see) or chondriosomes. Paraffin sections (5μ) are heated until vapors appear in a 20% solution of acid fuchsin (s. Fuchsin) in aniline water. Differentiate for 1-3 minutes in an alcoholic solution of picric acid until only bright red chondriosomes remain on a yellow background. Altman's staining is applied after preliminary fixation of the preparations in Altman's mixture, as well as in other chromic and osmic mixtures (Benda, Kopsch).
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Cite this page
“Altman Methods.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/altman-methods/