Polyethylene squeeze bottles for potassium hydroxide solutions.

Abstract

The formation of precipitates in glass bottles containing the usual 10% potassium hydroxide solution used for examination of skin scrapings, nails, etc. for fungus elements has long been a source of annoyance to dermatologists. The precipitate consists largely of silicates due to the attack of the glass by the strong alkali solution. Upon questioning a number of practicing dermatologists it was apparent that very few were aware of the fact that polyethylene squeeze bottles now in wide commercial and laboratory use are relatively inert to the action of alkalis and that such solutions will remain clear in these bottles much longer than in glass bottles. The accompanying photograph shows two types of squeeze bottles which are available for office use. Type A has an internal tube with a finely tapered outside point. It has the advantage of forming a very fine drop, so that there is little chance