Roy G. Williams

Microscopic Studies in Living Mammals with Transparent Chamber Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews microscopic studies in living mammals with transparent chamber methods. The transparent chamber method is a means for creating a microscopic section without the disadvantages of killing the cells, subjecting them to potent chemicals, and converting three dimensions to two. With such preparations, studies need not be limited to descriptive histology. They also reduce the need for inference in determining a vital sequence. The most likely extensions of this methods use, with suitable, easily made modifications, is with polarized light, ultraviolet light, reflecting microscopes, fluorescent microscopy, microdissection, and precise chemical methods adapted to living cells. Such a method depends upon the capacity of blood vessels, connective tissue, and other cells to grow into and fill actual spaces in the body if the spaces are sufficiently small.