History of Embalming: and of Preparations in Anatomy, Pathology, and Natural History; Including an Account of a New Process for EmbalmingGannal, J.-N. (Jean-Nicolas)
History
History of Embalming: and of Preparations in Anatomy, Pathology, and Natural History; Including an Account of a New Process for Embalming
Gannal, J.-N. (Jean-Nicolas)
Anatomical specimens -- Collection and preservation; Embalming -- History; Mummies
“If it is desired to preserve a part, without the process above
mentioned, the blood must first be extracted by a brine, and the salt
subsequently withdrawn by rain water, and, after having placed it in
the shade to prevent its putrefying, endue it with a mixture composed
of three quarts of oil of turpentine, and one quart of mastic, which
will communicate a brilliant appearance to it, and even a sort of light
crust, particularly if a greater quantity of mastic is used in the
preparation.
“As regards the preparation of the members and their appendages, a
particular process must be observed. The vessels must be well dried,
of whatever matter they may consist, and afterwards place the rods in
them well fitted to the cavity; and previously endued with suet, which
is to be carefully withdrawn in a few days; thus the members, large
and small, ought to be placed in cotton, well soaked in suet, to be
stretched in the direction of their length, as, for example, we stretch
the meshes of capillary vessels on sticks rubbed with suet, from whence
they are readily detached by means of a little fire placed beneath,
which causes the suet to melt.
“But sufficient has been said for the present; perhaps, hereafter I
shall have a more favourable opportunity to relate other similar facts,
or even more admirable; for I have seen with Swammerdam, of whom I
have spoken above, various pieces embalmed with so much talent, that,
besides all their natural properties, they possessed also that of being
always soft and flexible; I must forbear transmitting for the present
this process, in order not to lessen the èclat of the fine work I have
just described, and in introducing a still more beautiful one on the
scene, etc.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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