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136 Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory
3. Gently pull the tape away from the slide and loop it over the end of the spoon
handle, as shown in Fig. 4.57.
4. Hold the completed tape swab in your right hand, pressing the slide firmly against
the spoon.
5. Separate the patient’s buttocks with your left hand. Press the end of the spoon
covered with tape against the skin round the anus in several places (Fig. 4.58).
6. Take the slide and fold the tape back on to it, sticky side down (Fig. 4.59).
7. Make sure that the tape is firmly stuck flat to the slide by pressing it with a piece
of cotton wool (Fig. 4.60).
8. Examine under the microscope with the condenser aperture reduced, using the
¥ 10 objective. Look for eggs of E. vermicularis (see Fig. 4.54).
Fig. 4.57 Looping the tape over the end of the spoon handle
Fig. 4.58 Technique for collecting pinworm eggs from an infant