Anatomy and Embalming: A Treatise on the Science and Art of Embalming, the Latest and Most Successful Methods of Treatment and the General Anatomy Relating to this SubjectNunnamaker, Albert John
Science
Anatomy and Embalming: A Treatise on the Science and Art of Embalming, the Latest and Most Successful Methods of Treatment and the General Anatomy Relating to this Subject
Nunnamaker, Albert John
Embalming
_Pathology._—Where death is the result of acute alcoholism, the mucous
membrane of the gastro-intestinal canal is engorged, injected, and
dark red in color, and covered with a sticky, mucoid exudate. The
brain and the kidneys show the same characteristic changes. In chronic
alcoholism, changes of a more permanent character take place, depending
somewhat upon the quantity, quality and kind of alcoholics consumed,
and the length of time used. While all the bodily tissues are more or
less impaired, the brain, kidneys, and digestive system suffer most.
There may be connective tissue changes, fatty degeneration, sclerosed
kidneys, liver or arteries, and a more or less dilatation of the
stomach.
_Treatment._—In acute alcoholism, the blood should be drained from
a large vein, while fluid is being injected into a large artery.
After draining a sufficient amount of blood from the body, the vein
tube should be shut off and the arterial injection should continue
until the capillaries have been filled to their utmost capacity. This
strong treatment is advised on account of the early tendencies toward
putrefaction, which is sometimes in an advanced state shortly after
death. The cavities should receive a thorough treatment with normal or
supernormal fluid. Myers advises the re-injection of the cavity in 6 or
8 hours after removing the fluid remaining in the cavity from the first
injection. As a preventive treatment, this last is a wise precaution.
While the cavity treatment is being given the stomach should be entered
by the trocar, relieved of its contents and injected, thus preventing
post-operative purging.
In chronic alcoholism, the greatest circulation difficulties will
be encountered. The capillaries will not receive the fluid, the
putrefactive processes causing the formation of tissue gas early
in the case, which, when coupled to many natural impediments to the
circulation in cases of this kind, virtually nullifies the circulation
for fluid distribution. Inject as many arteries as possible, and if
necessary the veins also. Use the hollow needle or trocar and give
the unexposed portions of the body a heavy hypodermic injection. The
fluid used in this case should be not less than normal in strength and
in most cases should be at least ¼ over normal. Give the cavities a
very heavy injection, paying special attention to the food passages.
This is one of the cases coming to the attention of the embalmer where
every emphasis must be laid upon the injection of a sufficient amount
of fluid, through as many channels as possible. Do not count the cost
of the fluid in this case, if you value the securing of satisfactory
results. Cosmetic effect will be enhanced by injection of the carotids
upward with drainage from the internal jugular veins. Finish the case
with the use of good face powder, unless a discoloration is present,
when this should be obliterated with one of the improved methods
mentioned in the chapter on discolorations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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