Nikiforov's Methods
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Nikiforov's methods were developed for fixing blood smears and staining bacteria in tissue sections. The technique involves specific solutions and processing times for different types of bacteria, including those that are difficult to stain.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
NIKIFOROV'S METHODS were proposed for fixing blood smears and for staining bacteria in tissue sections. For fixing blood smears, Nikiforov recommended using a mixture (equal parts) of good absolute alcohol with anhydrous sulfuric ether. For staining bacteria in tissue sections, especially those bacteria that are difficult to stain (for example, spirilla, saprophytic bacilli), he proposed the following method: thin paraffin sections, attached to a slide with weak alcohol, are treated in a solution of the following dye: one part of 1% alcoholic tropaeoline, two parts of distilled water, and two parts of a saturated aqueous solution of methylene blue. Treatment from 3 to 36 hours, sometimes with heating to 40°, rapid washing in water, then several seconds in a mixture of absolute alcohol with ether and in xylene. See also Blood.
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“Nikiforov's Methods.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/nikiforov-methods/