The Golgi Stain: invention, diffusion and impact on neurosciences.

Publisher: Routledge Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9441330 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0964-704X (Print) Linking ISSN: 0964704X NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Hist Neurosci

Publication: 2013- : London : Routledge
Original Publication: London : Smith-Gordon,

Neurons*; Cell Biology/*history ; Histology/*history ; Neurosciences/*history ; Staining and Labeling/*history; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; Italy

Golgi C

The black reaction, invented in 1873 by Camillo Golgi (1843-1926, was the first technique to reveal neurons in their entirety, i.e. with all their processes. This important development passed unnoticed at first and only received wide international attention after a long delay. The Golgi stain was widely employed for almost thirty years and was directly responsible for major advances in our knowledge of the microscopic anatomy of the nervous system, as well as in other fields of study. In the hands of other researchers, the black reaction provided vital evidence that helped to establish the neuron theory. The Golgi stain was almost forgotten in the period between the two World Wars, but the introduction of the electron microscope to neurocytological resarch revived its use around the middle of the twentieth century. Today, the black reaction is still used extensively not only in combination with electron microscopy, but also as an autonomous technique in studies on the evolution, ontogeny, and organization of the nervous system.

Date Created: 20011020 Date Completed: 20000413 Latest Revision: 20091119

20221213

10.1076/jhin.8.2.132.1847

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