St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-13
THE PROBLEM OF LIFE.
A Chicago Invention That Arrests
Decomposition and Renders
CONTAGIOUS Diseases POWerIeSS.

n SD1cdSO lnVenbIOn mat arrests
Decomposition and Renders
Contagious Diseases PowerIess.
New York Herald.
William E. Daniels, of Chicago, says
he has discovered mode of treating
the bodies of the ''departed'' so as to
prevent decay absolutely, and the man
ner is no new system of embalming.
1t is a bath-a mineral vapor bath
administered in an air-tight chamber.
For ten days the discovery has been
given test at the Chicago Medical col
lege, and doctors say that the results
are very promising and the discovery
exceedingly remarkable.
Fifteen days ago man died at the in
firmary. The body was taken to the
morgue, where, for five days, it under
went the process of decomposition.
There were several scars and bruises
on the body, which had the effect of
making the process of decay more rapid.
The abdomen was greatly swollen, the
eyelidS were rolled back, and the decay
was assuming very offensive charac-
ter. After securing the body they had
to select place of operation. A little
upper room in the Chicago medical col
lege was chosen-a pro-dissecting room,
one so offensive from long use and no
renovating that it had been locked, and,
it was said, prohibited from ever being
reopened. There the diScOvererS held
their noses while they locked the body
in the air-tight chamber and applied the
mineral vapor bath.
PRESERVATION PERFECTED.
The body was in the bath for two
hours. When the experimenters revis-
tied the little room. the little attic, they
declare, was as fresh and sweet as
parlor, all the offensive odor having dis
appeared. The specimen was laid out
on bier exposed to the air and the raw
ishing attacks of decomposition. 1t had
lain there just eleven days to-day when
Mr.. Daniels and a few doctors and adj
mirers climbed up to the little room to
view the effects of the experiment.
Decomposition had, it seemed, been ar
rested. Flesh tintS appeared all over
the body. The rolled eyelids were grad
ually closing, presenting the appear
sleep. All swelling had disap-
peared, and it was positively as
serted that the bruises were healing.
1t is claimed the body can be pre-
served throughout eternity by this bath.
The only change will be produced by an
evaporation of moisture from the body,
but that will not promote decomposition
dlly. l. uc Udll SoculS uO destroy UllG
decomposing bacteria. BY this means
the narrowing thought that departed
friends will be subject to the invasions
of worms is dispelled. The body will
never decay, but will be as lasting as if
petrified.
WHY NOT APPLY IT TO THE LIVING?
If the effects observed in this expert
ment are reliable and consequential to
the mineral vapOr, none need ever fear
contagious disease. The vapor is
perfect disinfectant. The bath will not
only preserve the body, but the vapor
in sick room will purge it of all i'm
pure atmosphere and render contag-
Gus disease absolutely non-infectious.
The world need fear yellow fever,
smallpox. ETC., no more.
A physician said to Herald CORE
spondent who was present:
Just smell this body. There is no
disagreeable odor about it,"
So saying, the learned physfian run