The Florence tribune., 1899-03-11
TO PLATE THE DEAD.
Scientists Propose to Cover Corpses
 with Metals.
Tn Which Condition They Win Keep Forever = The Process Said to Be Superior to tAe Present
 Method of smbalming.


 Among the topics constantly agitat- ing social and sanitary experts are the difficulties of urban sepulture The largest cities no longer tolerate burial cemeteries within their limits. The ex- pense and trouble that this prohibition involves have given rise to the alterna- tive ideas of incineratien and other similar methods for the disposition of the dead. So many details of the pres ent way of conducting funerals have been developed by the progressive spirit of the times that it is no wonder that in this peculiar field also there should be an application of scientific elements.
 Evidences found by delivers into the extant relies of the past of the pro fency the ancients attained in the process of emoalming have encouraged modern attempts at the preservation of the dead. Some of these are mere temporary expedients to keep the body for a brief time before burial Others attempt to make the preservation per manent. A qualified success in this di- rection has led to the assertion that the lost art of embalmiBg has been rediscovered.
 This is the age of electrical wonders The area of human affairs into which lhe mysterious current does not run and reyolutionize existing conditions is practically unknown. The domain of the "great majority" is it's latest field of operation.
 i scientist of most advanced elee- trical ideas, who recently returned from Europe, is the advocate of an applica- ton of electrical methods fer the pres ergation of the dead. He holds that his experiments prove it not only eu- tireiy practical, but the genuine ord of the age system of permanent embalm- ing. He has been a laborious studeni of Egyptology, and is familiar with all the discoveries made in the disinte- grating of the mummies from their an cient coverings
 During a stay in Rome he visited the famous cemetery of the Capuchins, un- der the church. of that order, in the Piazza de Cappuccini. Here the vaults contain tombs with earth from Jeru- salem. When new interments are to be made the bones longest undisturbed in these vaults are taken out. From these the most ghastly decorations for the walls and roofs have been fash toned While looking at the crumbling remains of the 4,0OO departed monks lined up against the wall it occurred te him that if bodies were only treated to the electrical process by which they could be incased in metallic surface they would thus be preserved intact and lfelike for all time.
 Experiments followed, which the sci enlist regards as highly satisfactory. To those unfamiliar with the process of electrotyping it may be said that tc have thin film of metal deposited on the entire surface itis first covered with plumbago-more familiar to unscien- tific ken in stove polish. Then with aR acid bath and the electric current the transfer is effected.
 Ordinary metallic platings of table ware and other articles of familiar use are common enough, but experiments had to show that the idea was also ap- plieable to other substances. Meats and vegetable fibers were so treated te his satisfaction. and then he advanced ta l, |s VI, l,n lr,, r, sr +l norxv
 In this the body is prepared for the ordinary embalming. The viscera are removed and the preservative liquid is injected into the veins. 4 coating of metal applied by the electro-plating process then dramatically incases the whole frame and it is preserved intact forever.
 In this outer shell gold, silver, copper or nickel could be used to suit the purse and fancy of those having the em- balmment done. With it coffins and caskets could be done away with. A man could perpetuate himself in endur- ing. brass or more precious metals.
 The Charles Surfaces of the future who have to raise money on their own flesh and blood" could transmit 10 the Sir Divers securities that had intrinsic as well as artistic values.-Chicago Journal.