Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ... The Essentials of Embalming Q. What is embalming? Give a brief history of the art. A. Embalming is the preservation and disinfection of dead bodies by the intelligent use of chemicals, which is today the injection of the arteries and when necessary the cavities of dead bodies with preparations of disinfecting and preserving chemicals, for the purpose of rendering them inoccuous and inoffensive to the living, also pleasant to look upon. Of ancient embalming very little is known, and to attempt to give a history of it, ever so brief, would be out of place in a work of this kind. The first man to practise embalming to any extent in this country was Dr. Holmes, late of Brooklyn, N. Y., who practised it in a crude way in the army during the Civil War, embalming the bodies of many of the officers and men for transportation to their homes in the north. In 1880 Prof. J. H. Clark, now of Cincinnati, commenced the business of teaching embalming, a profession in which he has been engaged since that time. He was followed by many other teachers of the art, and is to be honored as the founder of embalming schools. Q. How soon after death should a body be embalmed? A. Many would say as soon as may be after the fact that death has taken place has been established, but my own opinion is that the work is more satisfactory if the body is placed on an incline and the blood allowed to gravitate to the dependent parts for several hours before embalming. Q. What is the meaning of the word embalm? A. To preserve with balm or balsam; to impregnate with aromatics in order to prevent putrefaction. The modern meaning is, of course, to preserve with chemicals. Q. Name the various methods of embalming and state how they differ. A. Strictly speaking, there is but one...