In presenting this book to the American undertakers, the object
is to instruct, as well as to create interest in the profession,
by developing scientific facts which are necessary to promote the
avocation of an undertaker to the rank which it deservedly ought to
occupy.
The several chapters, which may at first sight seem dry and
superfluous, are nevertheless essential to a clear and thorough
understanding of the several processes of embalming given in
this book. Had these seemingly arid dissertations been left out
altogether, the work of embalming and of preserving bodies would
have proved a sore puzzle to many; and it was found necessary to
elucidate the _modus operandi_ of each process, by giving reasons for
the use of the chemicals, their mode of action, and the results to be
expected by a careful and discriminate use of them.
The names of the chemicals and the quantity to be used was not
found sufficient in instructing undertakers; but, to satisfy the
investigating propensities of all, and to make every one thoroughly
conversant with the means employed, the nature and properties of the
different chemicals used have been explained at length.
As to the chapters devoted to anatomy, the arterial circulation
and the different parts of the human structure, they will be found
indispensable in this work, and, when thoroughly understood, will be
found to greatly facilitate the work of the operator.
How can the embalmer find the point of injection, or go on with
his work, if he be totally ignorant of the places of the different
organs, the courses of the veins and arteries, their relations and
relative positions? It is, then, an undeniable fact, that without
this knowledge the embalmer will accomplish his task more or less
well, and without knowing with any degree of certainty if the process
of injecting is complete, or if the parts intended to be injected
have been reached by the fluid.
Closely allied to this are the conditions of the body after death,
as governed by circumstances which may affect it, and thereby modify
the treatment thereof—admitting that different modes of treatment
are required by different cases. How, then, is the undertaker to
discriminate, if he be not warned beforehand, or if his knowledge
does not teach him what course is the best to follow? And how is this
knowledge to be gained, if he has not made it a point to study at
least that part of the human organism with which he may have to deal?
As the different processes given in this book for the preserving and
embalming of bodies are founded upon practical experiments, based
upon purely scientific principles, it becomes, then, necessary that
these principles be fully explained, so as throw sufficient light on
points which might otherwise remain obscure.
What has been said about anatomy applies equally well to the study
of animal chemistry. The constituents of the human body, fluid and
solid, have all more or less different properties, as also their
composition varies to a great extent. It is, therefore, a point
of material importance for undertakers to know and understand
their formation, the causes which may accelerate their decay or
putrefaction, and also the means which may be employed to the best
advantage to counteract their tendency to disintegration.
All the points above mentioned being understood, it follows therefrom
that the knowledge thus imparted will prove of great utility to the
profession, although it may appear at first sight an unwarrantable
waste of time and a mass of technicalities.
It may also be useful to repeat here certain injunctions as to the
dangers to be encountered in the handling of the dead, and also of
the proper care to be exercised by undertakers in avoiding to rush
heedlessly into danger and aggravate the perils of their calling.
The public at large have but a very imperfect idea of the dangerous,
and even, in some cases, repulsive, character of our profession. The
undertaker, and the perils attending in many instances the discharge
of his duties, as a general thing, are very seldom thought of by
those outside of the profession. To a great many the business of the
undertaker has something dreadful and appalling about it; and without
very well understanding themselves the nature of the feeling, it is
always associated with the horrible.
This impression, which seems to have grown in the minds of the
majority, is altogether an erroneous one, which ought to be
eradicated from public sentiment. Undertakers, as a class, are
men useful to society; their calling, far from being horrible and
loathsome, as the ignorant and shallow minded are pleased to call it,
is one which requires a great deal of self-denial, and which often
brings to the surface the finest traits of human nature.
Granted that our profession is one fraught with dangers, it becomes
incumbent upon professionals to protect themselves against them by
all the means that knowledge, experience and science may suggest.
One great mistake, and one which has been repeated too often, is
the false security some may place in the use of strong liquors to
combat and render void the deadly effects of contagion. This has been
a stumbling block to many; and without incurring the accusation of
being a fanatic in regard to temperance, we may safely assert that a
great many of our professionals have fallen victims to the effects of
alcohol, which, being used at first as a sort of medical preventive,
soon assumes full sway over the mind, and baffles their best efforts
to resist it.
If we are to look anywhere for a preventive of contagion and
infection, we must look to the directions and remedies which medical
science holds in store; and also to the undisputable fact, that in
the caution used and the care exercised in handling bodies, assisted
by a discriminate judgment, lies our best pledge of safety.
As it has been remarked before, the different modes of preserving and
embalming bodies given in this book are not mere speculations as to
probabilities, nor are they simply mere recipes picked up at random;
but they are the results of long practice and successful experiments,
which have demonstrated, in a most satisfactory manner, that the
advantages claimed for these same processes are well founded and
worthy of credit.
The long chapter on chemistry and physiology is, therefore, not only
essential to the full understanding of the methods given, but it is
also intended as a proof of the judicious selection of the chemicals
that are employed in the operation of embalming, as also of the
system upon which this operation is based.
It must not be supposed that all the known modes of embalming and
preserving bodies are to be found in this book, nor was it ever
intended to have it so; only those that are known to be reliable,
and which have been found to give entire satisfaction, have been
elucidated.
There are other methods, which are also said to be good; but, until
they are found by actual and practical experiment to be worthy the
merits claimed for them, they shall not be made public. However,
should they prove to be equal, if not superior, in one way or
another, to the methods herein illustrated, we will bring them out in
the course of time to the notice of the profession.