Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-05-02
MAKING OF SKELETONS
A More SaIable Article Than Usually
Supposed.

more SatapIe ArtlcIe man usually
Supposed.
The skeleton Of man or beast Is q
much more useful and salable object
than one would be inclined to suppose.
Proof of this is the frequency with
which we find these objects mounted
in museums, schools Of medicine, ana
tomical cabinets and even in the class
rooms for child physiology and in the
studios Of painters and sculptors. Much
labor Is employed in separating the
skeletons from the tissues and bones
that cover them, whitening them and
mounting them. Some Of them 1t Is
true, are prepared and sold by the
medical profession, persons occasional
ly Gin the interests of science) leaving
their bodies to the care Of this or that
medical fraternity, for whatever use
they may tend to serve. This, however,
explains very inadequately the supply
available, in response to the ever-grow-
ing demand.
AS a matter Of fact, the greater part
Of the skeleton trade is carried on in
France, nearly all Of it originating
there. Paris has very well equipped
factory for the furnishing Of skeletons
Of men and animals, for whatever pur-
pose required, and this factory has
branches in London and Berlin. Most
Of the human bones employed in the
French manufacture belonged in life to
criminals or to unknown persons whose
bodies were unclaimed after death in
hospitals or almshouses. After being
utilized in the dissecting room, the re-
mains were removed to this factory.
The proprietor of this factory is, or
should be, very rich man, for he
practically monopolizes this industry.
The factory has many departments.
First comes the preliminary prepara-
ton Of the skeleton in the carbolic acid
tank, and finally the fitting of the bones
and joints together with wires.
The preparation Of the skeleton takes
many months from first to last, and is
very expensive process in the bulk.
There must be thorough chemical
| treatment Of the bones, in the first
place, to insure their hanging together
and remaining in an unaltered state.
1t is hardly ever the case that skele-
ton seen on exhibition is made up en-
tirely of it's own original parts. The
formula employed in bringing the pro"
cess of the skeletons completion to a
state Of relative perfection Is still an
industrial secret. 1t must be, when sold,
as white as marble" In the ware
house Of this factory are rows of shelves
where skeletons Of all forms, and rep
resentatives Of all races, may be seen;
some by accident or in virtue Of dissec-
tion processes have been broken or dis
mounted and very carefully refitted
with fine wire. Underneath are multi
tudes Of boxes full Of assorted bones,
with big bones such as ribs marked of
with letters and numbers. In show
cases may be seen for sale-or ito let
for whatever purposes may be desired
skeletons Of giants, dwarfs, negroes
or of strange races discovered by ex-
plorers in far-off countries. Criminals
heads with their names and dates OF
their execution (some Of them very re-
mote) are seen here, and pamphlets de-
scriptive of their crimes are held for
sale, with cards in small type contain
ing the same matter, to be attached, II
desired. to the skull or skeleton.-Har
| per's Weekly.