, 1877-08-24
An Antiseptic Burial Casket-New
Method of Embalming.

DR.. Samuel Rogers, of San Francisco, after
having experimental for several years, has
made discovery which Is of great interest to
science, and to the medical profession in par.
ticular; and which is destined to effect an en-.
tire change in the present systems Of EN-.
balming, or preserving the bodies of the dead
All the methods hitherto in vogue, although
varying slightly in detail, depended upon the
injection Of preseryatlve chemicals into the
veins or arteries. Although this in meas.
ure answered the purpose, it was not entirely
successful, as the features were liable tc
change and discoloration, the method ex.
pensive and Its success greatly dependent on
the skill of the operator.
DIR. Rogers EN- ploys for the purpose desired
casket of peculiar construction, and new.
ly discovered compound with which the bod,
is washed The casket Is made with double
walls, or with recess In the bottom in
which the chemicals are placed. After the
subject is placed in the casket and the lid is
seaed,by drawing out small valve the chem
icals begin slowly to evaporate and their &C.
tion preserves the body. Before being placed
in the casket the body Is washed all over with
the solution, and the process has the effect Of
preserving the body for an indefinite time
without its showing any signs at all Of de-
composition.
During the experiments in this direction
by DIR. Rogers, extending over a period OF
years, the bodies of sheep, dogs, etc, were
used, and 1t is only OF late that any attempts
with human body were made; but the re.
suit OF the experiments with the former
leaves no doubt of the success of the process
If there had been any doubts they are re-
moved now by the method having been ap
piled TO subject obtained in alegal way from
the city and county hospital, for anatomical
purposes.
We examined this subject last week, some
so days after death; there was no sign of de.
composition apparent. There was no odor
whatever, and the limbs and Joints are as
pliable AS when in life, The solution applied
to the surface Of the body passes in by the
law of endOsmoss, and seems to act npon
every part of the body The flesh appeared
moist and natural in color. The viscera ad
not been removed, as has to be done in ordi.
nary EN- balmilg. This subject was preserved
under unusual difficulties, as 1t had been ex.
posed to the action Of the air during the en-.
tire time since death, as it was necessary TO
examine it frequently as matter of expert.
mcnt.
AS VIII be seen, this discovery is quite
simple In the means employed, rapid in the
time required, and requires no expert to ap.
ply 1t. The natural appearance is not dried
out OF the body, nor Is 1t at all mutilated
This subject has been critically examined by
several members of the medical faculty oI
this city, who concur in the expression ol
their satisfaction a. the result OF their exam.
nation, which was conducted in thorough
manner. Among the physicians alluded tC
were Dr. Wythe, Professor Of Anatomy in the
Medical College OF the Pacific, DIR. Titus, ex
resident physician Of the City and County
Hospital, DR.. Albertson, Vice. President o
the State Homeopathic Society, Dr. Henry
Gibbons, Sr., editor of the Pacific Medicd
| Journal, and DR.. Parry. Several incisons
| were made, and 1t was found that the blood
was still as fluid as II the man had only been
dead An hour or two, whereas fifty days had
elapsed since his decease.
The process is entirely accomplished by
the external application of chemicals with
out injecting the circulatory system, as in
ordinary embalming. And still the body is
kept in perfect state Of preservation. The
process has proven for period OF seven
weeks to be perfectly antseptic in his action
and also perfect disinfectant In it's effects, ,as
there Is no odor emanating from the body
For the purpose designed by DR., Rogers, Of
| preserving bodies for transportation TO the
East or Europe, this discovery merits the at.
tention Of the public and especially of the
medical profession. For preparing bodies
for anatomical purposes, when not needed
for Immediate use, the present condition OF
| the body referred to warrants the assump.
tion that the process keeps them in better
state and is superiorto any method practiced
in the different medical colleges, as published
or now known to anatomists.-S. Il. Scientific
Press.
USE Burnham's Abietine for Group, colds,