Prussian Blue
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Prussian blue is a blue precipitate formed by the reaction of potassium ferrocyanide with ferric iron salts. In microtechnique, this reaction is used for the microchemical detection of iron in tissue sections, though it is not entirely reliable.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
PRUSSIAN BLUE, a blue precipitate formed by the action of potassium ferrocyanide (K4Fe(CN)6) on ferric iron salts. In microtechnique, this reaction serves for the microchemical determination of iron: sections are placed for 30–60 minutes from water into a fresh solution consisting of 25 cc of 1% HCl and 8–10 drops of a fresh 2% solution of K4Fe(CN)6; followed by washing in distilled water and counterstaining with carmalum. The reaction is not very reliable, since Prussian blue can form simply through the action of HCl on potassium ferrocyanide.
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“Prussian Blue.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/prussian-blue/