Re: Collodion: What is it good for?

[Michael Kay <mikekay@teleport.com>]

The use of collodion goes back to the days of beta counting in 2 and 4 pi io
ion chambers. It was used to cover samples so the recoil would not let
the material float around the counter. A very low mass (<1mg/sq cm) coating
was used. It is also used to mount very small particles for microscopy and
autoradiography. These uses are rather outmoded today as very few
places are doing radiochemical separations and then mounting a precipitate
on a planchette for counting. Other materials used for the cover were 
very thin cellulose film, and mylar when it became available. The period
of time I am referring to is in the early 1960's. Since it was available,
the collodion solution was used for other purposes around the lab. It was
used as a quick and dirty sealing agent for things like corks in test tubes
(remember what those were?). It was when the Parafilm was too far away to
bother getting it, and the collodion was right there. And yes, it was used
to cover small glass cuts because most adhesive bandages didn't stick very
well.