Stainsfile - Kaiserling's preservative

There are four preservative formula under Kaiserling's name. Two of these (Kaiserling I and II) are used sequentially for the preparation of medical museum displays. The other two are general preservative solutions, although all four may be used for that purpose.

It is not an uncommon practice to substitute 10% formalin for Kaiserling I as it does much the same job, although tissue must be left in it for fixation to be complete – a few months at least. One effect of using either 10% formalin or Kaiserling I is that the natural colour is lost during fixation. This may be restored in two ways:

Soak the fixed tissue in 80% ethanol until the colour returns, then immerse in Kaiserling II in a sealed jar.
Immerse in Kaiserling II in a sealed jar after adding a small amount of potassium hydrosulphite. The colour slowly returns over a few days.

For those interested in this procedure please consult a text on medical museum technology. It is outside the scope of StainsFile

*Kaiserling I*			*Kaiserling II*
Water	1	L	Water	1	L
Strong formalin	200	mL	Potassium acetate	100	g
Potassium nitrate	15	g	Glycerol	200	mL
Potassium acetate	30	g

*Kaiserling 1896*			*Kaiserling 1899*
Water	570	mL	Water	840	mL
Strong formalin	430	mL	Strong formalin	160	mL
Potassium nitrate	5	g	Potassium nitrate	9	g
Potassium acetate	17	g	Potassium acetate	18	g

Reference
Gray, Peter. (1954)
The Microtomist's Formulary and Guide.
Originally published by:– The Blakiston Co.
Republished by:– Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.
  Citing:–
    Berliner Klinische Wochenschrift, (1896), v. 33, pp.775, Berlin.
  and:–
    Virchows Archiv für pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und für
    klinische Medizin, (1897), v. 147, pp.389. Berlin.
  and:–
    Verhandlungen der Deutschen Pathologischen Gesselschaft, (1899), pp.203, Jena.

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Last updated December 2010.