The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-06-16
I
A FACTORY,
Where Human Bones Are Pre-.
pared, Sold and Rented for
MANY PURPOSES.

(Philadelphia Iad~er1

SI ulldQeipIlld
Making skeletons for a living does
not seem to be a business that would
pay very much, AND yet there are a
number Of places where skeletons are
made. In making skeletons 1t does
not mean that they are made artificial
" by some composition resembling
Done, but they are made" by remov-
Ing flesh and ligaments, drying the
bones, whitening them and Assem-.
bling them, fastening them together
with slender wires in place Of the
ligaments, which, of course, will not
remain solid like bone, but disinte-
crate.
In these places skeletons Of almost
everything, from a common tadpole to
a human being, are made. There are
places where artificial skeletons are
made for various purposes. such as
theatrical productions and the like,
but this is done along with other work
where all sorts Of things. from imita-
ton ivory paper cutters to massive
pillars, are made.
The real skeleton factory deals in
othin except the genuine skeletons,
and they not only sell these and fiji
orders for them to all sorts of medical
men and institutions and schools, but
they are also willing to rent them
for any period.
Inc biggest share Of the skeleton
trade is carried on in France, the big
gest factory" being located in CAV
Paris. where there is a complete
equipment and stock for furnishing
skeletons of everything, even extinct
animals, skeletons of fishes and men
thing today that has enough of a
skeleton to put together. So great
Is the business in this place that it
has branches in London and Berlin.
and 1t gets out great catalogues, and
sends them broadcast, showing lists
and cuts Of their choice lots Of skele.
tons.
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 dissectine
room the remains were removed ia
this factory.
The proprietor of this factory is,
or should be. a very rich man. for
he practically monopolizes this indus
try. The factory has many depart.
ments. First comes the. preliminary
preparation of the skeletons Of ali
forms and representation of human
beings and finally in fitting of tho
bones and joints together with wires
The preparation Of the skeleton
takes many months from first to last,
and is a very expensive process in the
oulk. There must be a thorough
chemical treatment of the bones in
the first place. to insure their hang
Ing together and remaining in an un.
altered state. II is hardly ever the
case that a skeleton seen on exhibit
ton Is made up entirely of its own
original parts.
The formula employed in bringing
thu r~4A4os 80 xL-
ton to a state Of relative perfection
is still an industrial secret. It must
be, when sold, as white as marble
In the warehouse Of the factory are
rows of shelves where skeletons of
all forms and representative Of all
races may be seen: some by accident
or in virtue of dissection rocesse
have been broken or dismounted, and
very carefully reftted with fine wires.
Underneath are multitudes 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 to be let for what
EVER purposes may be desired-skele-
tons Of giants. dwarfs. or of strange
races discovered by explorers in far.
of countries.
Criminals heads. with their names
and the dates of their execution (some
OF them very remote), are seen here
and pamphlets descriptive Of thei,
crimes are held for sale, with cards
in small type containing the same
matter to be attached, II desired, Il
the skull or skeleton.
The preparation Of skeletons /:
really far more important than on,
would think, as It provides thousand.
Of medical. students and others witt
the lean OF making q proper stud,
Of the construction Of the human
frame. and helps In the constant wori
skeletons Of animals, Of course, ar.
valuable, and are used in the stud,
of zoology. And 80. taken altogether
IL = quite - legitimate and usefu
business