Staining myelin, elastic fibers and nuclei with iron hematoxylin

Two iron hematoxylin staining procedures were developed. Both use stable stock solutions and can be prepared volumetrically. The nuclear stain is progressive but differentiation is required for myelin sheath and elastic tissue staining. Histochemical procedures demonstrated that acid, hydroxyl, and aldehyde groups play no role in the staining but amine groups are essential. With both types of stains neither electrostatic bonding nor hydrogen bonding is essential but the nature of the union between tissue and the iron hematoxylin complex was not determined.