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
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.
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