Abstract: A device for smearing liquid on a slide has (1) a housing and means for supporting a pair of slides on top of the housing, (2) a carriage with a pair of spaced runners which slidably support the carriage on the top of the housing, (3) a spreader pivotally mounted on the carriage and free to rock transversely with respect to a slide, (4) a member to advance the carriage and spreader, (5) a spring and dashpot arrangement to retract the carriage, and (6) latch means to arrest the carriage after it retracts a short distance. The means for supporting the slides may support the slide at an angle of at least five degrees with respect to the plane in which the carriage moves reducing the thickness of the liquid smeared on the slide. The dashpot plunger moves in the direction of an open end of the dashpot cylinder. Advantageously the device has means to clean the spreader.

Abstract: A packet of microscope slides has a length of tape. Each of a plurality of microscope slides has one side of the slide removably adhered to a portion of the tape spaced from portions of the tape to which the other slides are secured to provide a separation between adjacent slides. The packet of slides is formed by tilting a plurality of slides which are in registration with the slides in contact and parallel to each other to place one edge of each slide substantially in a common plane outside of a substantially parallel plane containing the adjacent parallel edge of the slide while retaining adjacent slides in contact. A length of tape is secured to the edges of the slides in said common plane. The slides are then straightened to separate each slide from its adjacent slide. The carrying out of the method is facilitated by the use of a jig which has a bottom, a rear wall, and a pair of opposed side walls. One side wall supports the slides when tilted.

Abstract: A stage for holding a slide under a microscope in a microscope system is disclosed. The stage includes a movable support member, a slide holder for engaging a slide secured to the movable member. The slide holder is movable with the support member so that a slide held thereby is movable with respect to the optical axis of the system. A condenser disposed in the optical axis of the system is provided. The slide is held and supported by the slide holder and is slidably supported by the condenser so that the plane of the slide in the optical axis of the microscope system remains substantially fixed longitudinally of the optical axis as the slide is moved transversely with respect thereto.