Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-10-14
The Art of Embalming the Dead.

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The art of embalming is probably
more closely studied and certainly
more scientifically practised at Gene
va than in any other European city,
There are many foreign residents and
travellers III the place, and it often
happens that when one Of these dies
his body is sent home for burial. This
is especially the case with Americans,
who strongly object to burying their
dead in cemeteries where, after fifteen
or twenty years, according to Contin-
entail usage, every memeto' of them
may be obliterated and other bodies
laid in the same grave.
Several Genevan physicians make
embalming a part of their business,
with great advantage to themselves,
the fee being necessarily heavy one.
But the most successful embalmer in
Geneva, probably in Europe, is Prof.
Laskowski, Of the university, and his
process, of which he makes no secret,
is being generally adopted. He has
been equally successful in the preser-
walton of anatomical specimens, to
which, besides making them absolute
inodorous, he imparts all the appear
ance and suppleness of fresh pieces.
The method of embalming prac-
tised by the ancient Egyptians was
rudimentary in the extreme. 1t con.
sisted merely in disemboweling the
body, replacing the vicera with aro-
matte herbs and melted pitch, and,
after drying it by means of a salt
which extracted the humidity, envel-
oping the corpse in mass of bandag-
es. In modern times the more ration
al method has been adopted of inject,
ing into the body to be preserved an
tiseptic fluids through the veins and
arteries. This process has been prac-
tised by Signor Franchina, of Naples,
and M. Canal and DR.. Dupre of Par
is, but, owing to the defects of the So
lutions employed and mistakes in
manipulation, with only partial sue
cess. The liquid used by Prof. Las
k)wski consists of mixture Of car
bolic acid, chloride of zinc, and cor.
rosive sublimate, with the addition OF
an odoriferous essence. This solution
is as clear as crystal and pleasant to
smell.
To obtain certain results, the oper-
alton 1.-THE method of which the Pro.
fessor explained in great detail) must
be conducted with the utmost care
and attention. But success, when
once achieved, is as complete as could
be desired. A body skilfully treated
by Prof. Laskowski's method assumes
"the natural and agreeable expression
it bore Immediately after death, and
the skin becomes firm and as white as
Carrara marble.
Examinations of bodies thus pre-
served, and the condition of the spec
linens in the anatomical museum
which after the lapse of years are al
perfect as on the day they were pre-
pared, prove that they will remain
intact almost indefinitely, always pro-
vided that the specimens are kept il
alright cabinets, and the bodies
placed in Theoretically closed collins
or other receptacles. Whether it bt
worth while to incur the trouble ant
expense which Prof Laskowski's
method involves in order to preserve
human remains from decay may bt
open to doubt, but there can be NJ
question that he has brought the ar
of embalming to perfection which
it never previously attained. In
other respects his antiseptic discoveries
have proved eminently useful. For
besides preserving anatomical speci
mems with the results above described
he has way of treating subjects fol
dissection whereby they are deprived o.
all offensive odor, and students Of
surgery are enabled to conduct their
operations without the least sense OF
discomfort or danger to their health
London Times.