History of Embalming

5. Alcohol saturated with hyper-oxygenated muriate of mercury.

The whole being prepared, the cavities are opened with large incisions, and the viscera extracted; a crucial incision is made in the integuments of the cranium, the skull sawn circularly, and the brain removed; the intestinal tube is to be opened its whole length, and numerous deep incisions made in it; the whole to be washed repeatedly; after expressing them, wash them again in camphorated vinegar, and again with camphorated alcohol. All the internal parts thus prepared and rolled in the compound powder, are ready to be replaced. Numerous incisions are then to be made on the internal surfaces of the great cavities, following the direction of the muscles; wash all the parts and express them well; to which must succeed lotions of vinegar and camphorated alcohol; afterwards apply with a small brush, the alcoholic solution of corrosive sublimate to all the incisions; it produces much heat, the muscles become bleached, and the surface is promptly dried. This done, a layer of varnish must be applied to all the internal incisions, filling them with the powder; the varnish is also applied to all the internal surfaces of the cavities, also a layer of the powder which will adhere to the varnish; each viscera is then to be replaced in its proper position, adding as much of the powder as is necessary to fill the vacant spaces, and sew up the integuments, taking care to varnish and powder the internal surface of those which are contiguous to the bones. All the cavities being closed, varnish the external incisions and fill them with powder; varnish also the whole surface of the skin, and apply a layer of powder which will adhere generally. To the corpse thus embalmed, apply to every part, including the face, methodical bandages, which will produce a general pressure and cover all the surface; varnish the first bandage, and apply a layer of powder; and finally, a second bandage, which must also be varnished; when the body is deposited in a leaden coffin, and all the spaces filled with compound powder, solder on the lid, and the operation is finished.14

It will be perceived that, in this method, the access of air is, as much as possible, opposed; but this precaution is illusory, since in place of drying the body, it has been filled with powders which are real hygrometers, and which only absorb humidity to become themselves loaded with it: that indispensable condition to all perfect preservation was here wanting, completely to desiccate the body, still preserving it afterwards from all humidity and access of air; adding further, that many of these substances neutralize each other.

M. Pelletan, who furnishes us with the preceding criticism, proposes to rectify the method after the data which we derive from those of the Egyptians, of Clauderus, and the researches of Rouelle. Consequently, we must proceed in the following manner: remove all the viscera, sew up carefully the integuments, plunge the body for several weeks, in a weak solution of sub-carbonate of soda, after having filled all the cavities with it; wash the corpse freely, and soak it for some days in an aluminous bath, to remove all the alkaline particles; expose it afterwards to the air, or in a stove, to produce desiccation, taking care to fill all the cavities with tow, and with resinous and aromatic matters, so as to preserve the form; desiccation once completed, varnish with care the whole surface of the body, and envelope it in a double bandage, impregnated, and covered with the same varnish. This method, which approaches nearly that of the Egyptians, would secure, without doubt, a perfect preservation, provided the body be placed in a situation exempt from all humidity, and the temperature of which is not variable.

We should acknowledge the justice of these observations, and thank M. Pelletan for having substituted an accurate and rational proceeding for blind and thoughtless practices. The operation, nevertheless, as proposed by the professor, still exacts numerous mutilations. The inconvenience and inutility of so many efforts to preserve the body of our own kind, was, besides, long experienced by many spirited writers; which is proved by the eagerness with which they took advantage of the discoveries of Chaussier, respecting the properties of corrosive sublimate applied to embalming. By his researches it was proved, that this salt preserved animal matters soaked in its aqueous solution; that it produced this effect by an intimate combination with animal matter; in fine, that this matter saturated with corrosive sublimate, passed so quickly into a state of desiccation, that it was necessary to moderate it, to prevent the horny hardening of the soft parts. Parts thus prepared, are rigid, hard, grayish, and preserved at the same time from putrefaction and insects. No time was lost to profit by this property of the deuto-chloride of mercury, to apply it to the preservation of whole bodies. It was, in fine, the last method of embalming practised previously to my own, and held as very superior to that of the ancients. We shall collect here, some observations cited as remarkable examples, and as proofs of the excellence of the process. It will remain for us afterwards to appreciate its merits. Let us first see the facts.

First fact, (A.) Preparation made by Beclard

M. Beclard, chief of the anatomical works at the School of Medicine, was charged with the preservation of the body of a young man thirty years of age, who died of a hectic fever. The relatives desired to place the body in a glass case, and requested, above all, that it should not be opened. In spite of the disadvantage of this last restriction, M. Beclard succeeded in this operation by the following process: the intestines were withdrawn, opened, and cleaned in a portion of their length, by a little hole made in the abdomen. He penetrated the chest by means of two incisions, under the armpits; through which water was injected; a small hole was also made in the cranium; the blood of the abdominal and cutaneous veins was, as much as possible, expressed out, a mercurial solution was injected into the trachea, and the salt in substance introduced into all the cavities; the corpse was then soaked in a bath saturated with corrosive sublimate. During the first month it appeared to offer some signs of putrefaction; it was then thought necessary to introduce an instrument into the abdomen by the aid of which the peritoneum was incised at different points, M. Beclard having already remarked, that those parts situated beneath the serous membranes, escaped the action of the sublimate: the body was returned to the bath; some scarifications were made beneath those points of the skin which appeared greenish; the epidermis of the soles of the feet also protected the subjacent parts; this was removed; finally, after two months sojourn in the sublimated bath, the body being withdrawn during a hot and dry season, became desiccated in a few days. It was preserved for a year enclosed in a box, without exhaling any odour, or without any sign of alteration. The skin is of a leaden gray colour, and the features of the face are deformed by the emaciation of the lips and cheeks.

Second fact, (B.) Preservation of the body of Colonel Morland

In one of the German campaigns, M. le Baron Larrey was charged with the direction of the preservation of the body of the brave Colonel Morland, who received a mortal wound in one of the most brilliant charges. M. Ribes aided him in this preparation.15 They at first removed all the viscera through an incision made in a line with the crest of the right ilium, and in cutting the attachments of the diaphragm, and the canals which pass through the superior opening of the chest, the crown of the trephine applied to the posterior part of the cranium permitted the brain to be cleaned out by repeated injections. The eye was opened by bursting its globe. Having introduced the powdered sublimate into all the cavities, those of the face were plugged in order to prevent emaciation; the features were protected by graduated compresses and methodical bandages; the whole body was itself enveloped in several cloths, and placed in a barrel of super-saturated solution of corrosive sublimate; in this state the whole was forwarded to Paris. At the end of some months the barrel was opened; the body was found well preserved; on exposure to the air it dried quickly; care was taken to fill all the cavities with stoupes; the membranes of the eye, which had retired to the bottom of the orbit, were replaced by eyes of enamel; the hair, the eyelids, and the mustaches were preserved; the features were recognisable, and the body varnished carefully, and dressed in the usual clothes, produced a soft and melancholy illusion in those who had known this excellent officer. Now that several years have passed, the body of Colonel Morland, placed in a glass case in the library of M. Larrey, offers no sign of alteration, exhales no odour, and remains perfectly recognisable, although the skin looks brown, and as if tanned, and all the cellular membrane appears to have disappeared, so that the form of the muscles may be perceived through the dried integuments.

Remarks on observing Colonel Morland’s body.– We have seen the body of Colonel Morland, and we can comprehend that persons who have known him, and who have seen him dressed, may carry the illusion so far as to recognise some of his features. But, as for ourselves, it appeared to us impossible that a corpse, the white skin of which had become brown and tanned, of which all the cellular tissue had disappeared, and the general aspect of which is that of a rigid membrane glued to the bones, and some few dried fleshy fasciculi, should preserve a great likeness to the subject of which it affords only some wrecks. We confine ourselves here to the indication of the exaggeration of this fact in particular; we shall touch upon this subject again in our general remarks.

Third fact, (C.) Preservation of a young girl of ten years

M. Boudet, apothecary, was requested by a mother to prepare the body of a daughter who had died at the age of ten years, in such a manner that she could continually enjoy the sight of her.

A bust had been made of the infant, and they had taken care to choose, at the moment of death, eyes of enamel perfectly resembling her own. M. Boudet, untrammelled in his operation, which was performed at his own house, commenced by removing the viscera, by the aid of incisions skilfully managed. He extracted the brain through the occiput. The eyes were taken out and replaced by a plug; all the cavities were immediately filled with a dry stoupe, and the openings closed with accurate sutures. During these various preparations, the body had been plunged in a bath of pure alcohol, then into an alcohol bath containing a little sublimate. All being thus disposed of, the body was placed in a bath of distilled water, saturated with the sublimate, and in which still soaked some parcels filled with this salt. The body remained three months in this solution; forty pounds of the sublimate were consumed; much of the mild muriate was precipitated; even a portion of the mercury was revivified; but it is necessary to observe that the vase in which he operated was of lead, which should occasion the decomposition, and augment the consummation of the sublimate. At the end of three months the body was withdrawn from the bath, in order to proceed to the desiccation; it was suspended by bands in order to avoid deforming it, and to let it drain: care was taken to elevate the walls of the cavities with new stoupes, when they appeared to be deformed; the eyelids and the lips were kept closed with English taffeta. When the desiccation was completed, artificial eyes were put in, some features of the face were changed, and particularly the upper lip. A skilful artist modelled them in wax imitating the bust, which served him as a model; the skin being observed of a gray colour, it was coloured with paint; the hair, perfectly preserved, was very natural; finally, this infant, clothed in its ordinary dress, and enclosed in a glass case, presents a perfect resemblance, and causes an extraordinary illusion.

Remarks on these three observations.– Let us first remark that the substitution of this process for all those that had previously been employed, is a great progress. Indeed, in place of a multitude of drugs, endowed with properties either opposite or unknown, a single substance, studied with care, and of determined properties, is placed in contact with the tissues, which become modified according to the wishes of the embalmer. A charlatanism thus becomes a scientific operation, since a method which preserves bodies, better or worse, takes the place of others, which, far from preserving from corruption, often accelerates it. Nevertheless, we must say, that embalming with sublimate is still far from perfection, and, not to speak here of the inconvenience resulting from the three cited observations, it will be observed that the incisions and mutilations exist still in this process; that they are necessary to it, since, in spite of the wishes of the family, Professor Beclard was obliged to multiply them, in order to arrest the progress of decomposition. Many months are requisite for the perfect completion of the work, which renders it impossible to recur to it under many circumstances. The action of the sublimate, which combines with the gelatine, and gives rise to an imputrescible compound, protected from the ravages of insects, deforms the organs to such a degree, however, that the colour and general aspect of the body are changed. This deformation is so great in the third observation, that it was necessary to reform several organs: the upper lip was so damaged, that a skilful artist was obliged to reform it in wax, as well as several other features of the face, in imitating the bust, which served as a model; the skin being of a gray colour, it was coloured with paint, &c.

These imperfections would of course be of less importance in the preparation of anatomical parts; but, to preserve the body of a person who was dear to us, they are serious, and leave a painful impression.

But to return to our exposition.

Fourth fact, (D.) Proces-verbal of the embalming of the body of Louis XVIII., King of France

Extract from the procès-verbaux of the opening and embalming of the late King Louis XVIII. – ( General Repertory of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology, Vol. 8, p. 36, in 4to., 1829. )

Proces-verbal of the embalming, p. 40

This day, 17th September, 1824, immediately after the opening of the body of the late King Louis XVIII., and conformably to the instructions given us by M., the Marquis de Brèzè, grand master of the ceremonies of France, we, the undersigned, proceeded to the embalming, after the following manner:

1st. The heart of the late king, after having been washed and macerated for four or five hours in an alcoholic solution of the deuto-chloride of mercury or corrosive sublimate, and having been filled and surrounded with choice aromatics, was enclosed in a leaden box, bearing an inscription indicative of the precious object which it contained.

2d. The viscera of the three great cavities of the body, after having been incised, washed, and macerated six hours in the above-named solution, were penetrated, filled, and surrounded with aromatics, and enclosed in a leaden barrel, bearing an inscription indicative of the parts it contained.

3d. The totality of the surface of the body, and the surfaces of the great cavities, were successively washed with a solution of the chloride of the oxide of sodium, and with the alcoholic solution of the deuto-chloride of mercury.

4th. The fleshy parts, as well of the trunk as of the limbs, were extensively and deeply incised, and afterwards washed with the above named solutions.

5th. The surfaces of the body, of the cavities, and of the incisions, were supplied with several applications of spirit varnish.

6th. All the cavities were filled with powders, formed of various species of aromatics and resins.

7th. These cavities were closed by bringing their borders together, sustained by numerous sutures.

8th. The limbs, the pelvis, the abdomen, the chest, the neck, and the head, were successively surrounded with bandages, methodically applied.

9th. The whole surface of the body thus enveloped, was covered with many layers of varnish.

10th. Upon this varnish were applied bandages of gum diachilon.

11th. Over the bandages of diachilon, other bandages of varnished taffeta were applied.

12th. Finally, a last layer of bandages was applied over the varnished taffeta.

13th. The embalming terminated, the head of the late king was covered with a cap, his body with a chemise, his arms and breast with a vest, with sleeves made of white silk; the whole with a sheet of batiste.

It was in this state that the body of the king was returned to M. Brèzè, to be deposited in the coffin which was to enclose his mortal remains at Saint Dennis.

Signed, Portal, Alibert, Dupuytren, Fabre, Distel, Thèvenot, Portal, (for Ribes,) Auvity, Breschet, Mura, Moreau, Bardenat, Vesque, Dalmas, Delagenerraye.

Here the process followed, although analogous in many respects to the preceding, differs from them, however, in the addition of numerous drugs, and in the rapidity of the preparation; the following nearly, in all respects, the same, will furnish matter for reflection.

Fifth and last fact, (E.) Notice of the process of embalming, adopted for the body of L. D. C. D

Before exposing the details of this embalming, we ought to remark, that various reasons compelled us to modify, in different points, the plan which we had traced out for ourselves, after reading those authors who have written on this subject; thus, the family had earnestly desired that no part of the body should be abstracted, wishing that the coffin should contain the entire remains of L. D. C. D., their relation. On the other hand, it was necessary to preserve his features and physiognomy, in order that his body might be recognised on its arrival to his family, who inhabit England. Finally, that which, above all, prevented us pursuing a surer and more rational mode of operation, was the particular circumstances of the case, allowing us only one sitting to accomplish the embalming.

However this be, we shall now describe the process which was followed, leaving for another article, which will appear immediately, the modifications that may be introduced to diminish the difficulty and expense, and, if possible, render the result more certain.

1. Necroscopy.– The process to be followed even in this early stage of the operation, is not a matter of indifference; all the external parts having to retain their natural form, great care was necessary in abstracting the viscera.

In order to secure this end, without, at the same time neglecting the examination of the organs, the following plan was adopted:

a. An incision, commencing at the symphysis of the chin, following the mesial line divided all the integuments and muscles down to the symphysis pubis.

b. The sternum sawn through the middle permitted the hand to be introduced into the cavity without destroying any part of the thoracic walls.

c. All the organs, from the tongue to the bladder and rectum, carefully detached, were withdrawn through this opening. (The result of the necroscopy was published in the third part of the Bulletin Clinique, p. 79.)

d. The eyes were extracted with precaution.

e. The integuments of the head were divided transversely, from one mastoid apophysis to the other, and turned down before and behind to the extent of three inches; it was in this space, where, by the aid of two sections by the saw, one vertical, the other horizontal from behind forwards, we were enabled to raise a segment of the cranium which allowed of the extraction of the brain, the medulla oblongata being cut off as low down as possible.

2. Desiccation of the corpse.– This first operation over, the corpse was, as much as possible, disembarrassed of the fluids which it contained, whether in the great cavities, or in the cephalo-rachidien canal. Then, by the aid of precious aromatics, and absorbing powders, frequently renewed, the tissues were divested of their humidity.

3. Maceration of the viscera.– After the examination of these, they were freely washed in a saline solution, and then macerated for two hours in a concentrated solution of alum, hydrochlorate of soda, and chloride of sodium, (Gannal’s liquor,) and finally, they were submitted for several hours more to the action of a concentrated solution of the deuto-chloride of mercury.

4. Maceration of the corpse.– All the parts having been conveniently detached, alcoholic injections were made into the vessels of the limbs, and into the rachidien canal; and immediately after each of these partial injections, others were made, consisting of the deuto-chloride of mercury, which were retained in the arteries by ligature, and in the canal by a cork. Similar injections were also used for various regions which are abundantly supplied with cellular tissue.

The members and the trunk, both internally and externally, were sprinkled with a concentrated alcoholic solution of the deuto-chloride of mercury, and enveloped for several hours with stoupes and compresses steeped in this liquid. Finally, in order that no part should be deprived of the conservative action of the corrosive sublimate, the mouth, the nasal fossæ, the orbits, and the auditory passages, were filled with little bags of this substance in powder; and by means of profound and numerous incisions, the same was introduced in the muscles of the limbs and back, &c. (These incisions, narrow at the surface, extended deeply, and in various directions in the subjacent tissues.)

5. All the viscera were replaced in the great cavities formed by the union of the thorax and abdomen.

This part of the operation was made with extreme minuteness; the organs cut into pieces about the size of the fist, were separately dried in balsamic powders, then supplied abundantly with chloride of lime, and surrounded with stoupes steeped in the alcoholic solution of the sublimate; each package, thus constituted, was invested in two plates of lead, and placed in the cavity of the thorax; aromatic powders, chloride of lime, and stoupes, steeped in the sublimate, separated the different layers.

The heart, (for the satisfaction of the relatives,) was left entire, and replaced in its natural position, after having been subjected to the same preparations. The cranium was filled with the same substances employed for the preservation of each organ.

6. The segment raised on a level with the lambdoidal suture, the integuments are to be united by methodical suture, and the same is to be done for the abdomen and thorax.

The seam on the scalp was not visible, because it was covered by the hair, with which the head was yet abundantly covered. The trunk was not deformed.

7. Application of the bandages.– Previously to applying the bandages, a coat of varnish is given to the whole body, with the exception of the face, and immediately upon this varnish are placed layers of lead; it is then only, that methodical bandages are made to cover all the parts, from the fingers and toes to the head; each turn of bandage was fixed by a point of suture, then covered again with another layer of varnish, with new plates of lead, and finally, with a new bandage applied with the same care as the first.

The face, until now remaining free, was submitted to the same applications, but so arranged that it could be uncovered at any time, without disturbing the rest of the bandages.

The body was then covered with a cloth, surrounded with a mantel of satin, and deposited in a leaden coffin: it was left exposed to the air for more than twenty-four hours, without exhaling any other odour than that of the aromatics employed.

The operation which had commenced at ten o’clock in the morning, was not terminated until after two in the morning.

The operation was very painful on account of the gas, particularly the chlorine, which was freely exhaled towards the latter part of the process, fatiguing the assistants, who were all tormented with a very violent irritating cough.