The board generally employed to lay the body on while the operation
of embalming is being performed resembles any ordinary cooling board
with an adjustable head-rest, but it is also provided with a rim,
extending all around, and raised about one inch above the level of
the board; this rim stops at the foot, where the board remains open
in all its width. There are also longitudinal grooves running the
full length of the board.
The usefulness of this arrangement is obvious, as the liquids which
are used during the washing and embalming of the body run down the
grooves—the board being raised at the head about one foot during the
operation—and can easily be collected in a pail placed under the foot
of the board. This will do away with soiling the floor or carpet, as
is often the case with the common board in use. The rim around the
board will also prevent any liquid from dripping over the sides, and
will save a great deal of annoyance and trouble.
The greatest precaution must be used by the operator. All useless
and unnecessary talk must be avoided while at work; the mind must
be concentrated upon the work in hand. The knives, needles and
other instruments must be carefully laid away on a stand within easy
reach of the operator, and not be left laying about the board, under
sponges, towels, etc.; these might be grasped thoughtlessly, and
in doing so a gash might be inflicted, which, if not fatal, at all
events would certainly prove very serious.
Before commencing the operation, and after the body has been
thoroughly cleansed with soap and water, let the operator anoint and
rub his hands with either lard or sweet oil; not so much so as to
soil any article used, but let a vigorous rubbing force the oil into
the pores of the skin until the hands are almost dry.
The eyes and the mouth being carefully closed by the usual means, let
the body be well saturated with the following solution:
Sulphate alumina, 2 lbs.
Corrosive sublimate, 2 ounces.
Water, 1 gallon.
A cloth moistened with this solution may be laid on the face, and
remain while the operation is being performed. This solution should
not be wiped off, but it should be allowed to dry on the body; the
water will evaporate and leave behind it a thin coating of the
salts, which by penetrating the pores of the skin will render it
imputrescible.
Next, an incision about five or six inches in length is cut
transversely from right to left in the abdominal region, over the
stomach, about one inch in a line below the curvature of the lower
ribs. Through this opening is revealed the stomach on the right, the
liver and gall bladder on the left, the transverse arch of the colon
in front, and below the smaller intestines.
If the stomach is distended with food or gas, it must in all cases
be emptied of its contents and injected. For this purpose, puncture
the walls of the stomach on the side exposed to view, and passing
the left hand gently between that organ and the ribs, press down,
so as to force the contents out and through the opening made. Then,
after the stomach is completely emptied, inject with the following
solution, which we shall designate, for the sake of avoiding
mistakes, by the name of