II rr is an important characteristic of all

parasites .. Because the microscope magnifies the size of objects and with the several lens combinations (ocular and objective) objects are seen at several different magnifications, even highly experienced microscopist cannot reliably estimate the size of objects thus viewed.

The calibration will be accurate only for that particular microscope ocular and objective combination. Even if each lens is not calibrated with the stage micrometer, the ocular grid will provide a consistent reference against which to compare objects seen in fecal samples. These ocular micrometer discs can be purchased inexpensively from scientific catalogues that include microscope equipment.

-:. To calibrate the 40x objective, place the stage micrometer on the stage of the microscope and focus until the lines are sharp. In the example, the stage micrometer is Imm{lOOOIl) long andis divided into 100 parts, Thus each small division of the stage micrometer represents lOllm.

>-. Superimpose any convenient numbered line of the ocular micrometer (usually the UII mark) on a convenient line of the stage micrometer (the 1st large line in the example). The field should now resemble.

.. Find the two lines that are exactly superimposed. When a line falls exactly on the line of stage micrometer suppose 49th line falls on 11th

line of stage micrometer. Thus division of the unknown micrometer represent two divisions, each of 10um length, or a total of 110 JJ,m. To complete the calibration, divide 110 11m by 49 divisions, resulting in a calibration factor of 2.24 11m per division for the ocular micrometer .

.. . Repeat this procedure for each objective lens to be calibrated on the microscope.

1._.1 n r I-! 1~1 i s t ere d \l e r s i I] n. f) I e i"1. s ere 1~1 i s t e r. 11/llIIIIIIIMI,III,II. 11,111,111] r d - f] d f - C: I] n \l e rt C: [I m

EXAMPLE

Ocular micrometer subtending image of whip worm egg.. 9 spaces of ocular micrometer cover Whipworm egg .. Each space equals 6 microns. Whipworm egg

equals 5+ microns.