THE SILVER DIAMMINE ION STAINING OF PERIPHERAL NERVE ELEMENTS AND THE INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS: WITH A MODIFICATION OF THE BIELSCHOWSKY‐GROS METHOD FOR FROZEN SECTIONS

Abstract

1. A modification of the Bielschowsky‐Gros silver diammine ion (ammoniacal silver) method of staining frozen sections is given in detail. This method has been extensively used in the study of peripheral innervations and has given good results. Examples of these are figured. The method has the great advantages of (a) giving good results both after short and very long periods of formalin fixation, (b) allowing microscopic control of the actual staining process, and (c) permitting completely finished specimens to be made in one day after fixation is complete. 2. A short discussion of the rationale of this type of silver staining is given. 3. The interpretation of the results of silver‐staining methods is discussed, and a plea is made for trying to build up a complete picture from a series of varying impregnations of peripheral innervations. Such a series is illustrated for the sympathetic ground plexus. It is suggested that this plexus has few “end‐points”, and that humoral substances may be released in the continuity of the strands from the “beads” on the finest fibrils. © 1952 The Physiological Society