Specification of Auguste Audigier : embalming.

  • Audigier, Auguste.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Auguste Audigier : embalming. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Audigiers Method of Embalming and Mummyfying Dead Bodies. The product which I use for embalming is composed as follows:— 1. Wood dust or powder - - -2 lbs. 2 ounces. 2. Nitric acid at 36°/o by “ Baume’s ” areometer 2 lbs. 11 ounces. 3. Marine or bay salt - - - 10^ ounces. 5 4. Essences of two qualities (say essence of lavender and essence of thyme) - , - 5^ drachms. The wood powder, the nitric acid, and the marine salt are placed together in a receiver or very wide or bell-mouthed vase, and kept in motion until cooled ; the essence is then added, and it may be used. I further use a liquid 10 composed of,— t « _ 1. Nitric acid at40 degrees “Baume,” saturated with marine salt 24^ ounces, 2. Crystallized sulphate of zinc 7 ounces, placed together in a vial, and well mixed by shaking. I would here observe, that I do not confine myself to the precise weights and proportions above 15 given, as such may be varied according to circumstances and the quality of the materials. And having now set forth the composition of my products, I will describe my method of effecting the embalment. For a large body, I take about 44 lbs. weight of the powder above 20 described, and spread it as well as possible all about the body; then by means of an instrument analogous to that used for feeding insane people, and which I introduce into the mouth of the deceased under the root of the tongue, I pour the 31^ ounces of the liquid which I have prepared as above stated. There then remains but several supplementary details, namely, I place a little 25 rose colour prepared with essence and vermillion on the face and hands; I introduce into the nostrils a plug of cotton soaked with essence to preserve the shape of the nose; then, lastly, I place a handkerchief around the head, passing under the chin to keep the mouth and the eyes closed, and I hide the face with a white napkin several times folded, on which I spread a little of 30 the powder of which I have already spoken. The coffin is then hermetically closed by the operation of soldering, care being taken, as the operation goes on, to cool the soldered parts with a wet rag, in order to produce the least possible heat. The body may be embalmed naked or with its clothing. In certain diseases 35 care should be taken to place a plug in the anus to prevent the escape of the liquid. The leaden coffin is not indispensable, but is preferable to wood. In every case care should be taken to shake as little as possible, in order that the powder should not come off from the body. Place the coffin in as dry a vault
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