[Preservation of stab and cut wounds of the skin]

The authors compare different methods of fixation of stab and cut wounds of the skin. Fixation in formalin has more disadvantages than advantages despite its vast application. In our opinion fixation in formalin-free solution leads to better results especially with regard to subsequent investigations carried out later on. The best results were found with a modification of the Dietrich-Ratnewski fixing solution. This contains acetic acid, absolute alcohol, glycerin and water in the volume ratios 10: 15: 5: 70.