Chemical mixtures that utilize glutaraldehyde as the primary aldehyde coupled with the use of formaldehyde as a supplemental aldehyde to effect maximum tissue dehydration in conjunction with a pH acid/base balanced hypertonic mixture of salts and their acid complements would derive the overall best results in edema embalming. By utilizing a complex mixture of salts that are acid/base balanced, the solubility is maximized, and fast effective embalming occurs. Discolorations Discolorations brought on by the act of death or from predisposed conditions must be identified and treated as a separate and independent method of preparation. Discolorations will not always occur in conjunction with tissue changes and so must be preserved by means of modifying agents and specialized treatment. During life a hypostatic condition may develop associated with poor circulation in the dependent parts of the body or an organ. This is commonly referred to as hypostasis. The areas that are in the most severe of conditions may be internal or may take on a bluish-black, yellow or even green color on the outside of the body. For convenience in study, we will discuss the most common skin discolorations that can be brought on both - pre and post death, jaundice and gangrene. Jaundice Bile is identified as the yellow digestive liquid found in the liver acting as the body’s natural antiseptic of the intestines. It also aids in digestion of fatty food substances. From the liver it travels to the gall bladder, which acts as the body’s reservoir, to the cystic duct, bile duct and finally into the duodenum or small intestine. If there is an obstruction of the bile ducts upon entering the intestinal tract it can cause backflow into the gallbladder and again into the liver. If this occurs, bile will enter into the blood vessels of the liver and into the cardiovascular system traveling throughout the entire body and causing staining throughout the organs and onto the surface layer of skin rendering the removal of the stain almost impossible. Standard arterial injection fluids will have little to no effect on jaundice, regardless of the preservative fluid(s) used. Because this stain does not lie within the blood vessels Dehydration Dehydration may be due to physiological, pathological or environmental conditions. It is a major concern to the embalmer when trying to create a natural appearance. As previously noted in the first chapter of this course, dehydration is a natural process of preservation. It can be caused by heat or cold. It is in many cases a predisposing consideration associated with hemorrhage, emaciation, refrigeration, burns, pyrexia, and malaria. AIDS for example may cause fever, dehydration, emaciation, jaundice, and edema, connective tissue tumors and or hemorrhages all in
The embalmer must use both knowledge and skill to meet the challenges that cases of edema present. Extreme caution must be practiced as not to separate the epidermis from the dermis creating manipulative desquamation. Strong dilutions of higher index fluids will see the best results due to the body’s abnormal water content. This will also minimize leakage post embalming, ease the distortion of features (also known as moon face ), and prevent rapid decomposition. alone it simply cannot be corrected through flushing by arterial injection alone. Of course, modifying agents will help in lessening the “brightness” of the stain, however, topical bleaching agents, such as phenol will need to be used on exposed areas of the body for purposes of viewing. In addition, it is recommended to add colored lights in the viewing area as it will help to minimize the appearance of discoloration. Gangrene Gangrene is the death of tissue in an area of the body resulting from vascular obstruction brought about by various causes including, enfeebled circulation, temporary stoppage of the circulation of a part or organ, acute infection, and burns. Gangrene decomposition is similar to postmortem decomposition, with only just a part of the body dead and decomposing. In living bodies, gangrene can lead to amputations of decomposed tissue. If the gangrene in fact shows as gas gangrene caused by a bacterium known as Clostridium perfringens , the embalmer must take extra precautions in preparing the body. Although this organism is recognized as a natural flora in the intestinal tract of the human body, it becomes problematic anywhere outside the intestinal tract. Once entered into the cardiovascular system it spreads rapidly throughout the entire body and increases the speed of decomposition and may lead to tissue gas. Though, not often found on surface layers of exposed skin it does not to be treated thoroughly. Gangrenous limbs should be hypodermically injected with a high index preservative and finished with a surface treatment, such as a phenol pack or autopsy gel. Prior to dressing, plastics must be used to contain the area affected and the chemicals used during the preparation process. one body. This creates a number of different approaches to the embalming process. In effort to rehydrate, the embalmer must first begin by using a pre injection chemical such as a softener. Diluted preservative chemicals containing lanolin should be considered when preparing the arterial solution and conditioner should be added for molecular retention. In addition, the use of massage creams, Soft Skin, and other emollients is recommended post embalming procedure and reapplied as needed.
TRAUMA AND DIFFICULT CASE PREPARATION PROCEDURES
The recreation of bodies and features damaged by accident or disease is commonly called restorative art and is a sub- specialty of embalming, although all qualified embalmers have some degree of training and practice in it, is a skillset Hanging, strangulation and broken neck The mode and manner in the case of death by way of the neck will more times than not cause a separation or dividing of the blood vessels within the neck. If such is the case there will remain in the head and face a large amount of blood,
that is widely used along with advanced embalming and in most cases you can’t have one without the other. It is on these cases that the skillset and mastery of embalming is strongly apparent.
which would soon become coagulated, causing a dark bluish turning black discoloration that is difficult to treat if left for a long period of time. The primary focus of treatment would then be to clean the face to remove the blood in this
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