The Forrest City times., 1889-12-21
FROM FLESH TO MARBLE.
An Italian Method of Etsrnally Preserv-
 ing the Dead.
The Process of Petrifaction, and tho Results Produced-A Life Spent in Efforts to De-
 velop tho system-'Every Man His Own


 ProducedA Life Spent in Efforts to De-
 velop tho system-Every Man His Own
 Monument
 Italy has not nowadays as much to do with human genius and art us she had in the splendid time of her grand poets, philosophers, sculptors and painters; but she has ns she always had. much to do with human anatomy. and above all nations busics herself with the ugly problem, What shall we do with our deadp" The anatomic- al museums of Italy are peculiarly rich in curious preparations and models, some Of them too horrible aud ghastly for any one with only ordinary nerve 10 inspect
 Italians have of late years had lively discussions on the question of the pres ervation or destruction of the body. It is more of theological than a sentl- mental question with them. Profs. Marini and Gorini eminent scientists. have for several years been experi- ihChbiuS III tiic lluC oi It was ono of them who treated the body of Joseph Mazzini, turning it in- to almost transparent marble, having the great pear shaped head and the dark, intense. worn, but still hand some face, so wonderfully life-like in color, contour and expression that they who loved him could scarce be recon ciled to the scaling up of the coffin. On the fifth anniversary of his death that coffin was opened in the presence of some of his faithful followers, and one of them told mo that they found the face of their beloved chief quite unchanged. He seemed to have fallen asleep but yesterday. Dr. Marini has received several medals from expositions for his discovery, which. after all, is only partial rediscovery Of the secret process of Segato. the Florentine, and which he in turn keeps to himself. At the fairs in Turin and Milan. few years ago, he exhibited in special cabinet many specimens of what seemed an occult art Some were solid, permanent petrifactions, some provisional, capable of returning to fresh condition. all preserving the fullness and transparency of life, while most were in n pliable condition. All the varied members of tho bodies are. it is said, hard at first, but become af- ter time supple. and even capable of furnishing studies in anatomy. Of muscles. veins, and nerves. Nelaton, the great French surgeon. examined q petritied foot in January, 1868. and on February 26th wrote Of it: .'It has re- gained its suppleness to such degree that was easily able to disseet tho fifth toe,'
 The most impressive of Dr. Marlui's reparations is Beautiful little girl. dressed as in life. and lying on Il sofa. apparently asleep, her long curls spread over the pillow. Tho face is pale, but round and di impled. and the limbs are soft and flexible. The pro lessor aifirms that thus the gentle form Of little Maria Courier remains fixed forever for those who loved her to gaze on whom they villa painful privilege. l should say.
 But the pioneer in this field and the master Of all the workers was Girolamo Segato. who died at Florence in the early part of this century taking with him his secret
 In tho anatomical museum 0; this hospItil arc treasured the matchloss preparations of Segato lio was n most enthusiastic experlmen ter. be- lieving that his discovery would be of immense benefit to science, especially to anatomy Priesta accused him of sacrilege. of seeking to throw obsta- cles in tho way of omnipotence in the final work of tho resurrection of the dead. and his brother anatomists lack cd the courage to stand by him. It Is sad story the experience of Calico was repeated in the persecution hc had to endure-and yet he asked for no great thing. only tho dead body of a criminal or pauper to petrify on- tire. He had been allowed portions of bodies, fragments fallen from the tables of the hospital ana,omists. among them tho head of girl and tho bust of peasant woinan-the first an astonishing. piece of preservation. all tho features remaining as in life. tho hair exquisitely soft and lustrous. the teeth dazzling; tho second is mar vel of beautiful color and contour, and isory-like in smoothness and tlrmness. On his deathhed he tried to describe his process to his most intimate friend. to whom he had promised the revela- lion but voice and sirht faiiad him