title: Enhancement of contrast in living and fixed specimens by the use of fibre optics.
abstract: A method is described which enhances the contrast of living and fixed specimens examined with the stereomicroscope. It consists of immersing the ends of flexible fibre optic light sources together with the specimen in the fluid used for examination. It is reported that not only does this method increase the contrast of living specimens but that it may also be applied to specimens being prepared as thin sections or freeze fracture surfaces for examination with the transmission electron microscope. A further method of enhancement of contrast is suggested which involves the fitting of light filters of complementary colours, one to each of the fibre optic light sources, before immersion with the specimen.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D014981:Xenopus