The preparation of bone marrow smears from femurs obtained at autopsy

Abstract

A description is given of a method for the preparation of bone marrow smears from the femurs of animals up to 3 h after autopsy. Smears are made after marrow particles are mixed with 5% albumin in saline. Satisfactory results are obtained with Romanowsky staining, and such smears may be used to evaluate toxic effects on haematopoiesis. Cytochemically stained smears prepared in this way may be used to establish the lineage of neoplastic cells infiltrating the bone marrow. Results obtained by this method are illustrated.