EMBALMING

Definition 

• Embalming is the art and science of preserving human body by treating them with chemicals to prevent decomposition. Embalming is meant to temporarily preserve the body of a deceased person.
• "It is the chemical treatment of the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of micro-organisms, temporarily inhibit organic decomposition and to restore the dead human body to an acceptable physical appearance.
• Modern embalming is defined as the study & science of treating a dead human body to achieve antiseptic condition, a pre mortem appearance & preservation.
   

purpose 

• To keep the body suitable for public display at a funeral.
• For medical and scientific purposes such as their use as anatomical specimens.

Goals -

• Sanitization/Restoration
• Preservation
• Presentation

Chemical used for Embalming-

• Formaldehyde
• Ethanol
• Glutaraldehyde

Advantages-

The process of embalming makes the following possible:

1. Temporary preservation and sanitization.
2. Body inoffensive by slowing post-mortem changes.
3. Preservation for anatomical study and research by medical institutions.
4. Restore a favourable body image by removing the adverse effects of disease, trauma or post-mortem changes.
5. Move the deceased to a distant location for final disposition.
6. Seeing the body allows the friends and family to accept the reality of death.
7. Allows time to organize ceremony and rituals.
8. Slow the breakdown of the body over time (desiccation rather than putrefaction).

Types of preservation -

1. Natural:- It is obtained without deliberate human intervention like freezing, dry cold, dry heat, nature of soil at the place of interment.
2. Artificial:- It is secured by deliberate action of humans. E.g. Simple heat, powders, evisceration and immersion, evisceration and drying, local incision and immersion, simple immersion in alcohol or brine, arterial injection and evisceration, cavity injection and immersion, arterial injection, artificial cold and cavity treatment.

Embalming Treatment Classifications- 

1. Arterial Embalming
2. Surface Embalming
3. Hypodermic Embalming
4. Cavity Embalming
5. Anatomical Embalming

1. Arterial Embalming:-

• It can be used to prepare general or localized body region.
• It involves the injection of chemicals into the right carotid artery.
• A limb or an entire body can be arterially embalmed
• Arterial fluid flows through the body's circulatory system but not through the heart.
• Arterial embalming is also referred to as capillary embalming. 85% of the body's blood A contained in the capillaries. The embalming fluid must go through the capillaries to enter the tissue spaces where it makes contact with the cells of the tissue and body protein thus embalming the body.

2. Cavity Embalming:-

• Cavity embalming is performed after arterial embalming.
• It is the direct treatment of the body cavities.
• Those cavities include abdominal, thoracic, and pelvic.
• The process is carried out by aspirating the cavity by an aspirator and then filling it with concentrated chemicals.
• The trocar is the instrument used in the cavity embalming process.
• The purpose of cavity embalming is to reach the hollow organs that are not penetrated by the arterial embalming solution. It is important that the organ's gases and solids be released through the cavity embalming process.
• Cavity Embalming may be performed more than once on a body in the case of purge or odour.

3. Hypodermic Embalming:-

• Hypodermic embalming is the subcuticular injection of suitable preservative chemical directly into the tissues (under the skin).
• It is accomplished by use of a syringe and "needle, or an infant or standard trocar.
• The treatment area can include finger tips, the cavity walls of an autopsied body, or a limb that won't accept arterial embalming.

4. Surface Embalming:-

• Surface embalming is the application of an embalming chemical directly to the surface of the tissues. It takes 1 or 2 hrs.
• The chemicals are applied with an aerosol spray, or painted on with a brush using a liquid or gel, and can even be applied using cotton as a surface compress.
• Areas that are surfaced embalmed can be under the eyelids, the cavity walls in autopsied bodies, and underneath the cranial scalp when a cranial autopsy has been performed.

5. Anatomical embalming:-

• For anatomy education a different process is used.
• The first priority is for long-term preservation.

Procedure  of Embalming 

Step 1- Verification of Death:-

• The first step in the embalming process is to verify whether the deceased is in fact dead.
• The presence of clouded eyes, rigor mortis, lack of a pulse, and general unresponsiveness.
• The identification of the deceased is verified via hand and foot tags.

Step 2- Wash and Massage the Body:-

• The clothes and personal effects are removed and the body is then sanitized using an antimicrobial detergent.
• The orifices (e.g., mouth) are rinsed carefully.
• The limbs are massaged to alleviate the signs of rigor mortis.

Step 3 Setting the Features:-

• The embalmer poses the eyes in a closed position using a specialized eye cap.
• The lips are shut either by suturing, wiring, or an adhesive
• The face is shaved to remove any visible stray hairs.

Step 4- Injection of Embalming Fluid:-

• The embalmer temporarily preserves the body by injecting chemicals into the vessels and peritoneal cavity of the body.
• There are several different methods of injecting embalming fluid.

Step 5- Application of Cosmetics:-

• As a last step, the embalmer will apply a moisturizer and various cosmetics to hide a discoloration of the skin and achieve a more natural appearance of the body.
• Often, the embalmer will request a recent photograph in order to apply cosmetics in a way that will most closely represent the deceased individual.
• Since there is a lack of circulation, make-up is used to add color and depth to the skin and face of the body.
• The hair is styled using oils and gels and powder may be applied to cover any unpleasant odors.
• The body is dressed in formal clothes for viewing purposes.

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