Transverse sectioning of the scalp (Headington technique) in the 19th century

A review of the history of microscopy shows a period of intense amateur as well as professional interest in light microscopy in the 19th century. In order to accommodate these activities, there developed a group of people who prepared high quality microscopic slides. These slides covered a range of specimens including diatoms, insects, plants, rocks as well as animal and human tissues. Two slides of human scalp that were prepared in the latter half of the 19th century recently became available. They were processed to show both vertically and transversely sectioned skin. The slide of transversely sectioned skin contained two levels, one in the subcutis and the other in the mid-dermis. These slides are very similar to the slides that are prepared today for the evaluation of alopecia. It is interesting that slide preparers of the 19th century were using methods similar to those that were pioneered by Dr Headington but not for the evaluation of hair diseases. Rather they came to a similar method of preparation to maximally display the normal morphology of the hair of the scalp.