The linen pads should not exceed the size of a quarter dollar, and
thoroughly saturated in the above solution before applying to the
eyes. The face, after washing with soap and water, should be well
moistened with the same solution, and a cloth laid carefully and
evenly over the features, so as to come into direct contact with
every part of them; this cloth must be kept moist with the above
solution, and remain over the face until such time as the body is
placed in the coffin, when the cloth may be removed previous to the
lid being closed. This solution should be diluted with one-half water
for use on children or persons whose skin is very fine. It must also
be kept from a very strong light, in a glass bottle, and should, when
used, never be mixed in a metallic vessel, but in a bowl, cup, or
some dish of queens-ware or china.
The next step to be taken consists in preventing frothing or purging
from the mouth and nostrils; also keeping down generation of gases,
and swelling of the stomach and bowels.
For this purpose an incision about 4 or 5 inches in length is made in
the abdomen, above the transverse arch of the colon; this incision
will reveal the colon and upper part of the large intestines, also
the stomach, a little to the left.
If the bowels are distended with gas, puncture first the colon and
some of the smaller intestines, and, after expelling the air by
firmly pressing on the abdomen, inject into the bowels about eight
ounces of the following solution: Dissolve in one gallon of water as
much alum as the water will take up, shaking at intervals; then pour
off the clear liquor, and add to it two ounces chloride of zinc and
two ounces corrosive sublimate. Keep this injecting solution in a
cool, dark place.
The bowels being injected, the stomach must be emptied of its
contents by puncturing its walls, and by pressing gently upon its
outer surface in a downward direction; the matter contained in it
will be forced out into the pleural cavity, and can then be either
sponged or scooped out; the stomach is then to be injected in a
similar manner as the bowels; some of the injecting fluid may be then
poured between the interstices of the bowels, about (6 or 8 ounces),
and some cotton batting be laid evenly over the bowels; this cotton
should be well saturated with the solution after it is properly
laid in its place. The lips of the wound may then be neatly brought
together and sewed up.
It will be readily understood by the above described operation, that
no gases can be generated in either the bowels or the stomach, as
the injecting fluid in those parts of the viscera will effectually
prevent their formation; and this being the case, the purging at the
mouth and nostrils, which is the result of the escape of gas driving
out the contents of the stomach, is avoided. The expansion of the
abdominal viscera, or the bowels, is also prevented by the same cause.
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