Absorption by the Capillaries.
It is a well established fact that the capillaries or pores of the skin
absorb liquids and many substances when in solution, as well as being
channels of excretion of waste matter from the system.
“Draper’s Human Physiology” (a standard authority) says, page 241:
“Besides exercising the functions of exhalation and perspiration,
numerous facts demonstrate that the skin exerts an absorbent action. The
endermic application of remedial agents establishes this in a
satisfactory manner. That water can find access in this way is shown by
the assuaging of the thirst which may occur on taking a bath; nor is the
amount insignificant, since it may give rise to a considerable increase
of weight.”
Salivation may be procured by the external application of mercurial
preparations, the peculiar constitutional effects of cantharides
(Spanish flies) on the urinary organs may occur from their external
contact with the skin, and a multitude of such instances can be adduced
to show the tendency to absorption through the pores of the skin.
From the above established facts, the risk in using poisonous substances
for embalming purposes—more particularly solutions of arsenic—is greater
than is generally realized. This deadly poison (arsenic) is so
peculiarly diffusive and penetrating that it is even injurious to sleep
in rooms papered with green wall-paper, the green coloring matter used
in printing such colors on wall-paper being an arsenical preparation.
Contact of the naked skin with any arsenical solution is attended with
risk in exact proportion to the extent and duration of such contact, the
thickness of the skin, and some other modifications, as, for instance,
this deadly poison (arsenic) will be absorbed more readily through the
pores of the back of the hand than through the calloused palm, much more
readily through the epithelial covering of the lips than other better
protected parts of the body, and even if the Embalmer is careless of the
consequences to himself from using such dangerous material for his work,
he is in duty bound to take into consideration when using embalming
preparations that the friends and relatives often take a parting kiss
from the face of their dead after the application of such preparations,
and he should use none that contain any such dangerous ingredients.
All such risks, both to the Embalmer himself and to all who come into
contact in any manner with the dead, are entirely avoided when using the
Excelsior Preservative. It is a perfect antidote, not only for septic
poisoning from contact with infectious matter in handling dead bodies,
but also a sure antidote to the dangerous effects arising from the use
of any poisonous solutions that may be used for embalming purposes; and
if for any reason such are used, or if there is any suspicion of danger
of being inoculated with poisonous matter, I would urge for your own
safety and protection that you freely use the Preservative, bathing your
hands or any part that may be exposed to contact with the poison, as the
free application of the Preservative will neutralize and destroy the
poisonous matter and prevent any unpleasant or serious consequences.
The Preservative is not only perfectly harmless in its external contact
with living flesh, but it is even remarkably curative in its effects
when applied to chapped hands, sores, or even fresh cuts. This is, as a
matter of course, outside of its legitimate use as an Embalming
preparation, and I refer to it only as indicating the radical difference
between the arsenical and other poisonous solutions (_the so-called
“fluids”_) and the Excelsior Preservative, which last contains no such
dangerous ingredients.
[Illustration: [Fleuron]]