Improvements in and relating to Preserving Compounds for Embalming Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Preserving Compounds for
Embalming Purposes.
A communication from abroad by JAMES R. BATE, Gentleman, FREDERICK W. OWEN,
Physician, and JOHN W. SIMCOOK, Gentleman, all of Detroit, State of Michigan,
United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to the preservation of dead animal bodies from decomposition ;
and it consists in subjecting the body, without previous preparation or treatment, to
the fumes produced by the combustion of the chemical substances, hereinafter given,
of the improved compound, in a chamber, box or room in which the body is placed.
A chemical union takes place between the fumes or gases thus produced and the
liquids of the body, producing, acids which arrest present and prevent future
decomposition.
In the use of the improved compound for embalming, the body to be embalmed
is placed in a chamber, box, room or other receptacle sufficiently tight to prevent
any rapid or material escape of fumes produced by the burning of the compound,
and (if the combustion is to take place within said chamber or box) with means of
ventilation sufficient to support combustion.
The compound is then ignited either in the chamber, box, or room containing the
body, or in such manner that the fumes from such combustion come in contact with
the body, whereby, without surgical preparation and without removing the clothing
enveloping it, it absorbs the gases produced by such combustion, which, in com-
bination with the liquids of the body, form preservative gases or acids penetrating
the tissue thereof and preserve or embalm the body.
The ingredients of the improved compound and proportions are as follows;
namely, sulphur, three parts, carbon (consisting of charcoal) three parts; borax,
two parts; chloride of sodium, two parts; chloride of calcium, two parts, all of
said chemicals or substances being in a dry or powdered condition. The quantity
of the powdered compound used is from two to four ounces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
A preservative embalming compound composed of sulphur, three parts; carbon
(consisting of charcoal) three parts; borax, two parts; chloride of sodium, two
parts; and chloride of calcium, two parts, in combination with suitable means for
combustion thereof, and the bringing of the fumes or gases of such combustion
into contact with the animal body to be preserved, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 18th day of August 1890.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.