Barger and de Lamater's
Schiff Reagent

Solution

Ingredient	Amount
Pararosanilin	1 g
Distilled water	400 mL
Thionyl chloride	1 mL
Activated charcoal (powder)	2 g

 

Preparation
Dissolve the dye in the water with heat if needed.
Add the thionyl chloride.
Stopper well and store in the dark overnight.
If not water clear, add activated charcoal and shake for about a minute.
Filter.
Store at 0-5°C in a tightly stoppered bottle.

 

Notes

1. The solution should be colourless or very pale amber. Brown solutions will often stain poorly. Usually these have been made from a batch of basic fuchsin containing too little pararosanilin.

 

Reference

Culling C.F.A., (1974)
Handbook of histopathological and histochemical techniques Ed. 3
Butterworth, London, UK.