The following process is more laborious and requires more time than
the one already given, but at the same time it is more complete and
lasting, and when the operation is skillfully and properly performed,
the body may be said to be embalmed for an indefinite period of time.
But to carry out this process to a successful issue, it will be found
strictly necessary to study well, and bear in mind, all the details
of the operation.
It would be impossible to omit any part of the process and still
expect the same results, for, after repeated experiments and trials
under favorable and adverse circumstances, the result has always
proved to be the same. Still, this process is regulated by the same
laws and governed by the same conditions which affect a body under
all circumstances. An explanation of these conditions has already
been given, and it will be found that a thorough knowledge of these
will materially assist the operator in his work.
Let us suppose, for one moment, that a man entirely unacquainted
with the causes which may affect the morbid conditions of the veins
and arteries, goes recklessly on, and commences to inject some part
of the circulating system; if that system is in a normal condition
the injection will prove successful; if not, the worst consequences
may follow. How is he then to remedy his mistake? His very limited
knowledge, if he has any, will be of no avail to him. It is in the
lack of a sufficient understanding of the human organism that the
cause of many failures is to be found. When the proper antiseptics
are used, the fault does not lie in the inefficiency, but in the
manner in which they have been employed.
It is unnecessary to repeat here what we have before stated, that in
order to understand thoroughly the process of embalming, the operator
must make himself familiar with the explanations already given, and
also with those which shall be found hereafter.
It will be seen in the following pages that the mode of treatment to
which the body is subjected in this process, is entirely different
from that which has already been given.
The completeness of this process will be readily understood after
a careful study of its details, and if strictly followed in every
particular, will be found not only satisfactory in its results, but
also lasting for an indefinite period of time.
It is well enough to say here, that a metallic casket is not required
to assist in keeping the body after it has been treated according
to the following method. Quite the reverse, a wooden casket will
answer the purpose much better, as the body is rendered perfectly
inaccessible to the attacks of the ambient atmosphere by the external
covering which encases the body, in its transparent and elastic
coating, impervious alike to air and moisture.
The body should be placed on a table about four feet high, and
elevated nearly six inches at the head; it must be here borne in mind
that, to perform the following operation successfully, the operator
should be left alone to his work, in a room free from intrusion,
where idle questioning from standers by, or the talk of the usual
routine of business, will not disturb him. And as it may require
some time to complete the work, it were better that the remains were
brought to the undertaker’s establishment, where there is generally,
or ought to be, a room set apart for this branch of the business.
The body is first washed clean with soap and tepid water, so as to
remove every particle of fat or greasy substance which might obstruct
the pores of the skin, and thereby prevent the salts contained in
the bathing lotion to penetrate the tissues and produce the desired
effect.
The body must then be thoroughly dried by means of clean towels, and
be well saturated with the following lotion:
Acetate of Alumina, 1 pound.
Sulphate of Iron, 4 ounces.
Corrosive Sublimate, 2 ounces.
Water, 1 gallon.
The body is to be kept constantly moist with the aforesaid solution,
and as soon as evaporation has dried up the surface of the skin,
a new application of the solution becomes necessary; in fact, the
process should come as near complete immersion as possible. The eyes
must be well closed. To avoid the sinking, which after a certain
time must inevitably take place, and which will disfigure the best
prepared corpse, I would here suggest the use of the wax shells, to
be inserted under the eyelids—these shells, as stated in a previous
chapter, are manufactured by JOHN C. RULON, of Philadelphia, and can
be had by the quantity on very moderate terms—to keep the eyelids in
their place; the outside of the shell must be coated with white gum
shellac, dissolved in alcohol.
After the insertion of the shells thus coated, the lids are brought
together and held in place by the fingers. Shelac dries quick, and in
about five minutes’ time it will be found that the gum has acquired
enough of consistency to hold the lids together. As a matter of
course it will get harder in time and prevent the lids from starting
apart.
The operator will then cut a straight line through the skin with a
scalpel, the line to extend from the superior part of the sternum to
the umbilical region.
Another incision of the skin is to be made at right angles from the
first, about six inches in length, and one inch below the lower bend
of the last rib.
Then, with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, seize the skin
firmly at a point where the two lines intersect each other, and with
the scalpel held in the right hand, carefully separate the skin from
the fascia underneath. This operation is repeated on the four sides,
and the flaps of the skin turned over the sides of the body. This
will leave exposed to view a diamond shaped opening of the epidermis,
with its apex reaching above to the superior portions of the sternum,
and the lowest angle reaching to within two inches of the navel;
the two lateral points extend on both sides of the body from the
region of the stomach to the liver, and almost immediately above the
transverse arch of the colon.
To cut through the abdominal fascia, carefully puncture it above
the stomach, so the opening will be large enough to admit the
forefinger of the right hand being introduced through the opening;
then holding the scalpel with its edge upwards, the back resting
along the extended forefinger, introduce both into opening, and cut
from downward upwards into the fascia of the abdomen in a straight
line across from the stomach to the liver in a similar way to that
above described for cutting through the skin. This last incision is
to follow the same course as the one cut in the epidermis, and will
extend from one to the other lateral angles of the diamond shaped
opening in the skin. This opening will reveal the stomach on the
left, the liver on the right, and the transverse arch of the colon
immediately beneath.
Then another cleaving of the fascia is to be performed, downwards and
in a similar manner, from the middle of the transverse opening to
within two inches of the navel; this last opening exposes the small
intestines.
The reason why the cutting of the fascia of the abdomen should be
performed in this manner, that is, with the scalpel being held edge
upwards along the extended forefinger, is obvious; the forefinger in
this case acts as a guide to the scalpel in dividing the tissues, and
also protects the viscera from being wounded by the sharp point of
the knife.
The abdominal viscera being thus exposed, the lungs, heart and other
parts of the thoracic viscera must also be uncovered. For this
purpose, and with the cartilage knife separate the ribs from the
sternum about two inches on either side of the latter; commencing
from the second rib down to the last one, and extending to the
transverse opening made in the abdomen, it will be found that the
ribs at that distance from the sternum are attached to it by a
cartilage, which it is very easy to cut in children, harder in
adults, and it may sometimes be indispensable to use a saw on old
persons. This cutting through the ribs must be carefully performed,
for fear of wounding some of the organs which lay immediately beneath
and against the ribs.
The sternum being thus freed from the ribs, it can be turned back
over and against the face, and will reveal through the opening thus
made, the lungs, the heart, the arch of the aorta, etc.
The operator should use extreme caution whilst performing this
operation, as the jagged and sharp edges of the ribs might cut
through the skin and inflict a wound, should the hand be suddenly
brought in contact with them. It is also necessary to enjoin again
forcibly, the recommendation made before, of keeping the body well
saturated with the lotion while the work is progressing.
The bowels must then be carefully displaced, and all fluid or serum
found between or under the intestines be completely sponged out; the
intestines must also be emptied of their contents by the process
which has already been given in the first method of embalming; also
the stomach, the gall bladder, all the organs, in fact, which contain
foreign elements prone to putrefy. The bladder can be emptied of the
urine by means of a catheter, introduced into the urinary canal.
All the organs which shall have been emptied of their contents, as
also the intestines, the bladder, and the others, must be injected
with the following solution, or embalming liquid:
Corrosive Sublimate, 2 ounces.
Chloride of Zinc, 3 ounces.
Alcohol, ½ gallon.
Dissolve the corrosive sublimate and the chloride of zinc into the
alcohol; then after the salts are completely dissolved, add
Pyroligneous Acid, ½ gallon.
Creasote, 4 ounces.
Stir briskly with either a glass or wooden rod and the liquid is
ready for use. The above solution, which ought always to be prepared
in advance and kept on hand, must be enclosed in green glass
bottles, well stoppered, and kept in a dark and cool place. Metallic
vessels should never be used to hold the embalming liquid; neither
the solution employed to bathe the body. A glass or china vessel must
be used in either case.
As to puncturing the different organs for the purpose of emptying
their contents, the manner for doing so has clearly been given in
the first process for embalming bodies, but great care must always
be used so as not to perforate any of the vessels of the circulatory
system.
The next step is to inject the arterial system. For this purpose a
different point for injecting the system is selected from the one
pointed out in the former process. By removing the small intestines
out, and on the right side of the body the descending branch of the
aorta is exposed to view. In its course downwards, the aorta lies on
the vertebral column to the left of the middle line, and terminates
on the fourth lumbar vertebra, by dividing into the two common iliac
arteries. The descending branch of the aorta is then punctured so
as to admit the nozzle of the injector; this is introduced into the
opening in an upward direction, and the walls of the artery are then
tied firmly, but not so as to cut through, around the nozzle. After
the artery has been thus prepared, and before injecting, the vena
cava must be perforated at a point corresponding with the incision
practiced in the descending portion of the aorta where the nozzle of
the injector is inserted.
The inferior vena cava ascends _along the front of the vertebral
column_, and to the right of the abdominal aorta. The object of
severing this vein is to give the blood in the upper portions of the
body a means of escape, as the fluid is forced through and up the
arteries of that part and returning through the veins forces the
blood through the opening.
After the upper portion of the body has been injected with about half
a gallon of the embalming liquid, the nozzle of the injector must
be reversed and the lower parts injected in a similar manner with
about the same amount of liquid; the injection must then be stopped
for the space of about three hours, and all the blood which may have
escaped from the opening made in the vena cava into the cavity of the
intestines must be sponged out as it fills up the space left.
The mode of injecting is also of extreme importance. The injection
should be done slowly and steadily, as a strong, sudden forcing up of
the liquid into the arteries might occasion a rupture of their walls
should some point be weakened from some cause arising from previous
sickness, or from lesions as described in a previous chapter.
The injection may then be renewed and more liquid be injected, until
a sufficient quantity has been used. As there are no rules laid down
for the amount of liquid to be injected, it is left altogether to the
discrimination and good judgment of the operator.
The bodies of children and old persons will require less liquid
than adults up to the age of forty. The bodies of persons killed by
accident or some sudden cause, will require a larger amount of liquid
than those of persons who are emaciated by long illness, as, for
instance, consumption.
After the arterial and venous system have been thus completely
injected, the intestines must be replaced in the abdominal cavity.
The brains must next be removed, and this operation is one which
requires extreme caution, as will be seen by the following
explanation of the process.
The body is turned on the right side, and, by means of a trephine, a
round hole is cut into the back of the skull, about two inches above
the cerebellum; the piece of bone thus taken out is preserved so as
to be replaced into the opening after the operation is finished.
Previous to cutting through the skull, a small incision in the shape
of a cross, about two inches in length, each way, must be cut in the
skin. The object of this is to leave the bone denuded after the skin
has been detached from the bone, and also to bring the parts together
by sewing, after the brain has been removed.
Through the opening thus made in the skull, the brain, or the portion
of it which can be reached, is easily removed by means of a small,
slender spoon, with a long handle, made for the purpose. The cavity
thus made in the head is to be filled with the following:
Take two gallons or more of water, and saturate with alum, as
much as it will dissolve; then mix with plaster of paris to the
consistency of _very thin paste_, and fill the cavity of the brain;
some cotton may then be introduced to keep the mixture inside; the
round piece of bone cut from the skull is then replaced, the flaps
of the cut in the skin brought together and neatly sewed up; if
this operation is carefully performed, the cuts thus made cannot be
perceived under the hair.
Great caution should be exercised while removing the brain, in not
wounding any of the veins and arteries which are inside that part of
the skull, and with a little care this can be easily avoided.
The body is then turned again on the back, in the former position,
and all the cavities in the thorax and the abdomen, between and under
the intestines, the liver, the lungs and the heart, must be well
cleaned and dried with a sponge of all liquid or serum that might
be found; pulverize some tannic acid into fine powder, and sprinkle
heavily around and between the organs of the thorax and the abdomen;
the sternum is then replaced over the thoracic opening, the flaps of
the skin temporarily brought back over the abdomen, and the body,
being enveloped in a sheet or some linen cloth, well saturated with
the _lotion for the face_ as given in the first part of this chapter.
The face, hands, feet, in fact every inch of the surface of the body,
above and under, is to be covered with the cloth, tightly wrapped
around it and well saturated as above directed.
The body must be kept in this condition for about twelve hours, when
the cloth is to be removed; the sternum is then raised again and the
skin over the abdomen thrown back; a mixture of plaster of paris and
alum, prepared as described above, is then poured over the whole of
the thoracic and abdominal viscera, being careful to fill completely
all the interstices existing between and under the different organs
and the intestines.
This composition, or cement, must be brought up to a level with the
ribs in the thorax, and cover the viscera in the abdomen; after
the cement is set, or nearly so, sprinkle a plentiful quantity of
powdered tannic acid on the top of it.
Then bring the sternum down to its proper place between the ribs,
and also the internal fascia of the abdomen over the viscera; and
last, the flaps of the skin are brought together and neatly sewed
up, taking a stitch alternately under and above the skin. Should the
mouth have a tendency to remain open, or the lips be too far apart,
sew the lips together with surgeon silk, passing the needle up inside
of the lip, near the gums, also through the nether lip in a similar
manner, from one corner of the mouth to the other, where the last
stitch can be tied up in a slip knot.
Before the mouth is sewed up it is always necessary to fill the
inside of the mouth with cotton, well saturated with embalming
fluid. In case a great number or all the back teeth be missing,
which might cause a sinking of the cheeks, and thereby to a great
extent disfigure the body, introduce some cotton, prepared as above,
between the gums and the cheeks; it will give the body an appearance
more natural, and less emaciated. This rule ought to be applied not
only in embalming, but also at ordinary times. When laying out a
corpse, the mourners and friends of the family will always appreciate
anything of the kind, which tends to beautify the remains and divest
death of its hideousness.
The nostrils must also be filled with the same composition of alum
and plaster of paris; let the cement be thin enough in this case,
so it may be injected into the _nasal fossea_ by means of an India
rubber syringe, until the nostrils are completely full; then hold it
in place with some cotton wads saturated with embalming fluid.
After the body has been so far prepared, it remains to encase it
into a transparent and elastic covering, which will prevent the
attacks from the atmosphere, and, at the same time, render the
body impervious to moisture. For this purpose, procure from some
first-class druggist some Canada balsam (it must be fresh and
perfectly colorless, as it is prone to grow thick and yellow in
time); then procure a vessel—a glass jar with large mouth should be
preferred; this jar should be large enough to hold twice the amount
of Canada balsam on hand; bring the jar near the fire, if it is in
winter, and submit the balsam to a gentle heat until it is liquefied;
so soon as the balsam has attained the consistency of thin honey, add
to it the same amount of the best spirits of turpentine that can be
obtained, and stir with a glass rod until the balsam and turpentine
have been thoroughly mixed; then apply the mixture on the body by
means of a camels-hair brush, very wide, and similar in shape to the
brushes generally employed for moistening the paper used in copying
letters.
A single thin layer of this mixture is quite sufficient, and should
be evenly applied to any part of the body, where the growth of hair
is not sufficient to exclude the approach of the atmosphere.
It will require but a very short time for this varnish to dry, and
then the body will be ready for either burial in a crypt, easy of
access, or for transportation to some foreign country.
In the course of time the organic tissues will dry and desiccate,
the bony prominent parts of the joints may become more angulous, the
skin may assume a slightly yellow tinge, but the features will always
be natural and recognizable; the skin will never shrivel up and
shrink back, exposing the teeth, as is generally the case with the
Egyptian mummies; and, above all, putrefaction with all its repulsive
hideous accessories, will never take place; nor will noxious gases or
offensive odors be emitted.
A wooden casket will also be found preferable to a metallic one, as
the free admission of air will favor the drying up of the tissues and
the absorption of whatever little moisture which might find its way
out of the only opening not hermetically sealed—the mouth.
Undertakers will find this process to be, without any exception, the
best method of embalming ever employed; bodies prepared as above
can be shipped to the most distant points across the seas; or, can
be preserved for an indefinite period of time in some family vault,
where the surviving members can at any time obtain a vision of the
body without having their sensibilities shocked by the horrible
picture of slowly decomposing animal matter.
It must not be forgotten, that, if the above process is slow, long
and tedious, requiring a good deal of labor and delicate handling,
the results obtained are equally important, and the compensation
commensurate with the magnitude of the undertaking.