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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Hi Jade<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">I would concur with all the comments made so far that your major concern would be detrimental osmotic changes to the specimens. I had never heard of Ward’s solution
(and apparently neither had John Simmons as there is no mention of it in his book – probably because it is not a preservative usually associated with specimens) but I did find an MSDS online for the solution -
<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.lakeland.edu_PDFs_MSDS_1332_Ward-2DSafe-2520Packing-2520Fluid-2520-2528Wards-2529.pdf&d=AwMGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=p73XbT7yhpnL9Wpr7ympluasx_gNYl7Z4KYqKb8acSI&s=d-TvWsi8GR5eJAZLRKAexYQ_PpzYVC39aSzBuaKNC4o&e=">
https://www.lakeland.edu/PDFs/MSDS/1332/Ward-Safe%20Packing%20Fluid%20%28Wards%29.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">It appears to be a small amount of methyl alcohol (2.87%) mixed with water and some other ingredients and as such would not be recommended due to the low concentration
of preservative. For comparison we usually work with concentrations of 70% ethanol or 50% isopropanol in collections so this represents a very low concentration that would not prevent mold growth. Given this I would recommend the step up approach outlined
by Dirk and others and may suggest some formaldehyde in the first step as a precaution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">In terms of labelling, yes, Resistall paper is acidic and will eventually cause problems. The printing mechanism of choice now is the thermal transfer printer
system sold by Alpha Systems together with the spun bound polyester media and ribbon – see attached. There is a fairly large investment up front for the printer but the labels pay for themselves in durability and longevity. We have been using this system
in our collection for about 15 years now and have been very happy with the results. We have seen no deterioration of labels over that time (no fading, no cracking, no brittleness etc.). They are also virtually indestructible and do not leach anything into
the alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Hope that helps<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Andy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> A : A : A :<br>
}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°><br>
V V V<br>
Andy Bentley<br>
Ichthyology Collection Manager<br>
University of Kansas<br>
Biodiversity Institute<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Dyche Hall<br>
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard<br>
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561<br>
USA<br>
<br>
Tel: (785) 864-3863<br>
Fax: (785) 864-5335 <br>
Email: <a href="mailto:abentley@ku.edu"><span style="color:blue">abentley@ku.edu</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu_&d=AwMGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=p73XbT7yhpnL9Wpr7ympluasx_gNYl7Z4KYqKb8acSI&s=bOMUR3-xFVwmNKdXt9Fe_PUbpvUCxXhWE8_aX9bXAJE&e="><span style="color:blue">http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">SPNHC President<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.spnhc.org_&d=AwMGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=p73XbT7yhpnL9Wpr7ympluasx_gNYl7Z4KYqKb8acSI&s=1Mgn7umm5ZEuyeM0_DvTRJyafEBO_5LoJfTcPeotr04&e="><span style="color:blue">http://www.spnhc.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> : : <br>
A : A : A :<br>
}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°><br>
V V V</span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jade Keehn<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 09, 2015 8:32 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Chris Feldman <ophis@unr.edu>; jimmythesaint98@hotmail.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Nhcoll-l] Refixing, Ward's solution, and other problems with old specimen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Greetings,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">This year, our department is working to revamp a historic fish and herp collection in various states of disrepair. We have been diligently sifting through the curatorial literature
to prepare for this process; however, there are a few things we could use some advice on. Hopefully, there are a few knowledgeable wet collection curators who can answer some questions before we begin our assessment and treatment of this valuable collection.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Our first question regards refixing museum specimens. A number of amphibs are in rather "soggy" condition and we are considering injecting them with 10% formalin before returning
them to ethanol solution. This 'refixing' process was mentioned in a 1978 ASIH museum practices document, but we haven't seen it discussed in anything more recent. Are there any potential disadvantages to refixing specimens to improve specimen quality/ longevity?<br>
<br>
The herpetological collection is currently labeled using Resistall paper. The literature indicates that this paper type may result in an acidic/damaging pH. Is there another labeling paper that is recommended for use?
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">A number of specimens have been preserved using Ward's solution. Are there any potential concerns or treatment procedures needed before transferring these specimens into ethanol
(75%)? Secondly, is there any reason to worry about the condition of cleared and stained specimens, assuming they are still submerged in fluid?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Thanks in advance for the advice!<br>
<br>
<br>
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Jade Keehn and James Simmons</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Assistant Museum Curators</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Museum of Natural History</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">University of Nevada, Reno</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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