To those who, like physicians, students and nurses, are almost
constantly thrown into direct contact with every form of epidemic,
contagious and infectious diseases, the dangers arising therefrom
are considerable. But undertakers are exposed to a still greater
risk, namely: that of handling the remains of those who have died
from the effects of those same diseases. Not only do they have to
guard against the infectious character of the contagion, but they
have also to protect themselves against the malignant effluvia which
emanates from the victims of the contagion after disintegration of
the body has taken place, the nauseous and sickening gases which are
generated by decay, and the deadly virus which may be innoculated
into the system, either through some puncture or abrasion of the
skin; the virulent effects of the poison may be carried carelessly
to the mouth, the nose or the eyes by a thoughtless action. Too
much care cannot be exercised by undertakers in handling a corpse,
especially if the subject is known to be afflicted with some
infectious or malignant complaint.
Still, the precautions generally in use among undertakers, and the
different preparations that are commonly recommended as preventives,
are useless in most cases, as there are conditions of the system
which will increase the danger, and in some instances leave it
open to the insidious attacks of disease and contagion. Too much
importance has been attached, so far, by undertakers, to the
artificial means devised by some, under the names of preservatives,
antidotes, etc., etc. The reliance placed on them, in a great
many cases, has proved futile, and although some possess real and
undisputed merit, they proved ineffectual when the system has been
influenced by the following