tangent
01-18-02, 03:15
DayTrader wrote:
>
> We are considering purchasing a microscope to monitor parasite burdens
> in our goat herd. This has me wondering if this microscope could be used
> for diagnosing human diseases as well. Why could we not obtain medical,
> microscopy, and other texts (along with images for comparison purposes)
> and be able to take blood, tissue, body fluid, and stool samples to
> diagnose ourselves and those around us. Slide preparation is not all
> that difficult and the supplies are readily available.
>
> Could be a valuable barter service as well.
>
> Any comments?
>
> DT
1. Get a good model. Nikon makes a version for pathologists that
does not require immersion oil for the high magnification lens.
If you can afford it, buy that one. Otherwise lay in a lot of
immersion oil, cover slips, etc. (you will break cover slips
constantly). The Nikon Alphaphot 2 is a good basic scope (with
an immersion lens); the Eclipse systems are big bucks. (Immersion
oil keeps well, and isn't that expensive, so probably go with
the Alphaphot. I have an earlier version of it, and it has served
well for the last fifteen years.)
2. Be aware that you will probably need to figure out a way to
replace the halogen illumination systems with either a mirror
system or at least a battery powered system for post-TEOTWAWKI
operation. The folks at Nikon will likely be helpful in advising
you on this if you explain to them that you will be operating
in remote locations w/o access to power supplies. (At least they
were fifteen years ago). It should be possible to get an instrument
maker to put together a mirror set that can be mounted in the scope.
3. Don't bother with exotic stains. Go with a good supply of the
basics.
4. Sobotta's "Histology: A Color Atlas of Microscopic Anatomy" is
worth looking at and possibly purchasing (IMHO).
5. So is Snell's "Clinical and Functional Histology for Medical
Students" (IMHO).
6. Companies that produce stains often produce atlases - worth
looking at, and sometimes they come free if you buy the stains.
7. Take a microbiology class. Then take a histology class - books
aren't enough - practice counts.
All of the above is free advice. No warranty express or implied.
************************************************** ****************************
Renegade academician. They're a dangerous breed when they go feral,
academics are...a chemist, too.
--(James P. Blaylock in "Lord Kelvin's Machine")
My organization hasn't agreed with any of my opinions so far, and
I doubt they'll start now.
Stanley Roberts
>
> We are considering purchasing a microscope to monitor parasite burdens
> in our goat herd. This has me wondering if this microscope could be used
> for diagnosing human diseases as well. Why could we not obtain medical,
> microscopy, and other texts (along with images for comparison purposes)
> and be able to take blood, tissue, body fluid, and stool samples to
> diagnose ourselves and those around us. Slide preparation is not all
> that difficult and the supplies are readily available.
>
> Could be a valuable barter service as well.
>
> Any comments?
>
> DT
1. Get a good model. Nikon makes a version for pathologists that
does not require immersion oil for the high magnification lens.
If you can afford it, buy that one. Otherwise lay in a lot of
immersion oil, cover slips, etc. (you will break cover slips
constantly). The Nikon Alphaphot 2 is a good basic scope (with
an immersion lens); the Eclipse systems are big bucks. (Immersion
oil keeps well, and isn't that expensive, so probably go with
the Alphaphot. I have an earlier version of it, and it has served
well for the last fifteen years.)
2. Be aware that you will probably need to figure out a way to
replace the halogen illumination systems with either a mirror
system or at least a battery powered system for post-TEOTWAWKI
operation. The folks at Nikon will likely be helpful in advising
you on this if you explain to them that you will be operating
in remote locations w/o access to power supplies. (At least they
were fifteen years ago). It should be possible to get an instrument
maker to put together a mirror set that can be mounted in the scope.
3. Don't bother with exotic stains. Go with a good supply of the
basics.
4. Sobotta's "Histology: A Color Atlas of Microscopic Anatomy" is
worth looking at and possibly purchasing (IMHO).
5. So is Snell's "Clinical and Functional Histology for Medical
Students" (IMHO).
6. Companies that produce stains often produce atlases - worth
looking at, and sometimes they come free if you buy the stains.
7. Take a microbiology class. Then take a histology class - books
aren't enough - practice counts.
All of the above is free advice. No warranty express or implied.
************************************************** ****************************
Renegade academician. They're a dangerous breed when they go feral,
academics are...a chemist, too.
--(James P. Blaylock in "Lord Kelvin's Machine")
My organization hasn't agreed with any of my opinions so far, and
I doubt they'll start now.
Stanley Roberts