History of Embalming

11

Early in September, 1833, I had an opportunity of inspecting the contents of the morgue of Saint Bernard. Among the group of bodies of every age and sex, we were particularly struck with two figures, one, that of a man, whose countenance was horridly contorted by the act of desiccation; each limb, and every muscle of the body, had assumed the expression of a wretch in purgatory. The other was that of a mother holding her infant to her bosom, the latter, with an imploring expression, looking up to the face of the mother, whom it appeared to have survived some time, as is generally the case when mother and child are frozen together – a greater power of forming animal heat existing in children. —Tr.

12

The following is the passage of P. Kircher, of which we gave only a few passages in our citation.

“Est in Transpilana Africæ regione, desertum ingens sabuli, arenarumque cumulis in immensum exporrectum, unde et sabulosi maris non immerito nomen obtinuit; hæ siquidem arenæ ventis concitatæ tam sævas subinde tempestates movent, ut arenis in clivos aggestis, turbinum violentia, et jumenta et viatores una cum mercibus suis, nulla evadendi spe relicta, vivos sepiliant. Refert Pomponius Mela de rupe qua dam in hoc deserto existente, austro consecrata, quæ simul atque vel manu tacta fuerit, austro mox provocato, Sævissimas procellas moveat, sabulo in tantum intumescente, ut pelagus undarum vorticibus, fluctuumque æstibus concitatum videraqueat. Hanc rupem dum olim sylli inconsultius adeunt sive occultiori naturæ impetu, sive magicis incantationum præstigiis, vento mox exoriente, et sabulosos cogente montes, ad unum omnes extincti ferunter. Est et in hoc deserto, ammonium oraculum et serapium, sphyngesque ingentes quarum aleæ usque ad caput, aleæ ex dimidio arena obrutæ, strabone teste, spectantur. Hoc itaque celeberrimum oraculum consulturus olim Alexander Magnus, dum pleno aleæ itineri se accingit, ad illud quidem incolumis pervenit, sed quos milites ex suo exercita non sabulosi pelagi turbines, hos æstus, sitisque confecisse traditur. Sed ut unde digressus revertar, in hoc sabuloso deserto dicunt non nulli mumias solius naturæ industria confici; dum aiunt, viatorum deserti tempestatibus extinctorum corpora tum solis tunc ferventissimæ hugus arenæ pinguioris virtute, longo tempore siccata, tostaque, in hunc statum degenerare. Sed tametsi subinde, in hoc Lybiæ deserto hugusmodi a sole exsiccata corpora reperiantur, illa tamen minime mumiæ discendæ sunt.”

13

It is not improbable that the use of these gummy bandages gave origin to the new and improved method of bandaging fractured limbs – the bandages being first soaked in a solution of gum Arabic, or in a preparation of starch, called dextrine. —Tr.

14

It is astonishing that M. Boudet, charged with the embalming of the senators of the empire, did not think of profiting by the discoveries of the illustrious Chaussier, in order to simplify a method so ridiculously empirical; for, between his processes and the thousand formulæ of Penicher, the difference is not very great; it is the same accumulation of powders, resins, balms, essences, &c. He had, notwithstanding, a good example to follow in anticipation of a better, which was the embalming of Colonel Morland.

15

We ought to render homage to the zeal and noble devotion which enabled the celebrated Larrey to surmount all the difficulties of his position to preserve the body of a companion in arms.

16

The deuto-chloride of mercury, like the salts of copper, arsenic, iron, &c., are decomposed by gelatine, forming a new imputrescible compound. The preservation is much more sure if a large quantity of alcohol is used in drying the corpse.

17

When we visited and gave an accurate examination of the numerous embalmed objects in M. Gannal’s museum, we did not observe any specimens that had been finished long enough to dry, displaying such perfection as that here stated. —Tr.

18

A composition of papier maché, with which Dr. Azoux has so beautifully represented anatomical subjects. —Tr.

19

The subjects prepared by M. Azoux, are however, more proper to facilitate and extend the study of anatomy; they are far superior to dried objects. It is desirable that every amphitheatre should possess one of these subjects.

20

These details on maceration and corrosion, are extracted from a work full of interest of Professor Dumèril: Essay on the means of perfecting and extending the anatomical art. – (Paris, 1803.)

21

Paintings where colours are employed diluted with water or gum. —Tr.

22

There are some specimens in the museum of Natural History prepared by this process.

23

M. Dumèril, work cited.

24

See Bulletin des Sciences, by the Philomatic Society, Vol. 3, 6th year, No. 3.

25

In this country, powdered arsenic is almost exclusively used by preparors – and is alone sufficient for this purpose – the arsenical soap is not sufficiently strong; no fatal effects have been known to follow its use; care should be taken to wash frequently. —Tr.

26

Out of ten medical students lodging together, and frequently of the same amphitheatre, nine were attacked by this grave malady in the course of last year, and three of them died.

27

Up to the present, certain animal substances have been considered chemically identical, which are not so: 1, the proper matter of gelatinous tissues not decomposed; 2, the product which results from their decomposition by the action of heat and water; 3, this same secondary product dried. These three compounds were designated by the denomination of gelatine. As I have proved that there is not between them any identity of character, I have named gelatine the animal matter contained in the gelatinous tissues; I have reserved the name jelly to the product of the decomposition of geline, and I have left the name gelatine to glue, whatever may be its purity.

28

Entire bodies of both men and horses have been found not unfrequently, preserved for centuries in the English bogs – which preservation has always been referred to the tannin in its fluid portion. These instances probably occurred at a low temperature. I have tried the experiment by immersing small quadrupeds in a saturated solution of powdered nut-galls, during warm weather, but always found it insufficient for preservation from putrefaction. —Tr.

29

Arsenic is so little soluble, even in warm water, and, above all, in alcohol, that I introduced the liquid saturated, holding in suspension more than one-half of the powder which could not be dissolved.

30

In the autumn of 1837 I tried this experiment of Tranchini, on the body of a patient who had died the day before with consumption, in the wards of the Philadelphia Hospital. A saturated solution of spirits of wine and arsenic, coloured with carmine, was injected into the carotid artery – the countenance regained its natural fulness and complexion, which state continued for about three weeks, with the exception of some shrinking of the eyes. In about six weeks the corpse began to mould, and the skin of the legs could be scraped off, – the body was then buried. —Tr.

31

Nitre possesses no preservative properties. —Tr.

32

To have given the creosote a fair trial it should have been injected undiluted with water; no one who has tried this curious product will deny that it possesses the most powerful antiseptic properties. I have used it formerly very successfully in my dissecting rooms for purifying subjects dead of mortification, foul ulcerations, or tainted by decomposition, especially the viscera. A small quantity of the creosote passed over the surface of these with a feather, immediately removes the fetid odours. —Tr.

33

These liquids, which may be employed for the limited preservation of fish destined to dissection, will not answer for their indefinite preservation, but I shall have occasion, in my work on the preservation of pathological anatomy, to indicate another process.

34

These productions on the surface of dried preparations, not covered with varnish, do not produce, it is true, putrid decomposition, but they change, and tend to destroy them. I have experienced all the inconvenience of this fact in embalming; after numerous trials I have discovered a method of preventing it.

35

The eyes have been replaced by artificial ones. —Tr.

36

Dr. Spalding was a native of Massachusetts, and a student of the late Professor Rush, some thirty or forty years ago.