Prof. E. H. Crane's Manual of Instructions to Undertakers

CHAPTER I.. Ancient Embalming.

Ancient Embalming.

It is my object in these instructions to lay before the undertakers of this country a minute and detailed description of the only reliable process, and best method known, for the preservation and embalming of the dead, and at the same time to submit to them the important details to be followed out so condensed and free from unnecessary and superfluous language that the methods used shall be plain to any one, believing that any matter not strictly pertaining to the subject is out of place in a Manual of Instruction.

Long study and experiment in this interesting science has brought to light many valuable and practical results, and it is from actual tests and experiments extending over nearly a quarter of a century that I have devoted to this subject that has enabled me to say that with the aid of my Excelsior Preservative the Undertaker may rely with entire and perfect confidence, upon meeting with complete success in each and every case to which he may be called, and I can assure him that after using the Excelsior Preservative, he will have no desire to return to the use of ice, or any other preparation he may have used in the past.

The Egyptians embalmed their dead by a tedious process, which occupied from sixty to ninety days—constant attention and care being required. They always removed the brain, stomach and intestines, which last were sometimes deprived of their excrement and replaced in the body, and when they were called to embalm very fleshy subjects all of the adipose or fatty substances that could be removed were taken out of the bodies; this done, they were next bathed, or even immersed, in a solution of Arsenic, Asphaltum, Oil of Cedar, Gum Myrrh, and any or all of the aromatic spices that they could possess themselves of without respect to kind or quantity. After which the body was subjected to slow and steady heat for from sixty to ninety days; the application of the solution being repeated several times (smoke was also used in some cases); when the moisture was finally expelled from the body they were wrapped or rather wound with narrow strips of linen cloth from head to foot. These cloths were also saturated with Asphaltum, Arsenic and Gum Myrrh, which soon became dried and cemented together in a manner to prevent moisture from permeating the body as long as the wrapping remained intact.

Thus it will be observed that the Egyptian method is not a lost art, as has been supposed, neither would any person living under the present age of improvement allow it to be practiced on their dead.

It has been often remarked by those not informed in such matters, that the Egyptian method could not be fully analyzed or a new and better method discovered to take its place; but, fortunately, this is a great mistake.

The Peruvians equalled the Egyptian method without removing anything from the body, and all they used was smoke and heat. When the moisture was fully evaporated from the body it was placed in a dry, rocky tomb. Many of these mummies have been discovered in a fine state of preservation, and few, if any, are prepared to say but that these ancient dead have been lying in their rock-hewn tombs as long as the so-called Egyptian mummies have in the catacombs of Egypt.

I have given the above, as you will be asked many times in regard to the Egyptian method of embalming, and it will be a very great advantage to you in being able to give the information called for.

There are a number of so-called preserving or embalming preparations, sold as such (some having a little merit as a temporary preservative), but none of them possessing all the requirements of a perfect preservative, deodorizer and embalming compound.

Perfection, however, has been attained in the Excelsior Preservative, it being a perfect deodorizer, and for preserving and embalming the dead it surpasses anything known either in ancient or modern times.

Having explained the ancient method of preserving the dead, I will now take up the science as perfected, with the aid of the Excelsior Preservative and the practical instructions, which I herewith lay before you.

With this manual in your possession, you will be enabled to attain that perfection in the art of preserving and embalming the dead which the educated and refined taste of the people of this day require of your profession.

CHAPTER II.. Directions for the Care of Ordinary Cases.

Directions for the Care of Ordinary Cases.

To handle and preserve an ordinary case in warm weather, when the body is only to be kept one or two days, the undertaker will find my process very much easier than any of the old methods (in fact not half the work). In a case of this kind (as the ice-box or icing is done away with or omitted), all the undertaker has to do is to lay the body out, with the head from ten to twelve inches higher than the feet (the higher the head the better), and inject with the Syringe, using the large bent tube, say one-half of a pint of the Preservative into the nose or mouth, which will immediately run down the throat into the lungs and stomach, and prevent any fermentation or decay of any substance that may be in them. The body should be raised up in the sitting posture if there is any difficulty in injecting down the throat.

Then wet a large cloth (a large towel is the best,) with the Preservative and lay it over the chest and abdomen. This should be kept wet with the Preservative from four to eight hours, the longer the better; also wet cloths with the Preservative and lay over the face and hands. Be particular to press the cloth down well around the eyes, ears and neck. This effectually prevents any discoloration, or if it has already turned dark, the complexion will be restored as white as in life.

These cloths should also be kept wet with the Preservative from four to six hours, and even longer in some cases; this is all very quickly done, and easy to do by any one after they once understand it.

Now leave the body in this position on the inclined board for about 18 to 24 hours, when it can be dressed and placed in the casket. The cloths can now be removed from the face during the day, but should be replaced during the night and be kept wet with the Preservative, as a certain preventative against discoloration.

The undertaker can leave orders with the friends to wet these cloths and lay them over the face at night, thus saving himself the trouble of going back to look after it.

Remember, it is always best to let the body lie in the inclined position about 24 hours before placing it in the casket, and if kept in the casket over night the foot end of the casket should be lowered during the night-time in order that the inclined position of the body may be retained.

CHAPTER III.. Directions to Observe in a More Obstinate Case.

Directions to Observe in a More Obstinate Case.

When the body is to be kept longer, it is best to first empty the stomach of whatever mucous or other substance can be got out of it. This is done easiest by turning the body onto its side, with the head drooping a little over the side of the bed or couch or whatever the body may be lying upon, and by pressing with your hand upon the stomach a portion of its contents will run out.

A washbowl or chamber, placed in a chair, is handiest for this purpose. (And here I would say, it is always best to inject into the stomach about one-quarter of a pint of the Preservative before attempting to empty it, as this will so effectually deodorize the contents of the stomach that no offensive odor or smell will arise when you empty it into the vessel, thus keeping the room free from stench.)

Immediately after emptying the stomach, place the body in an inclined position, with the head ten or twelve inches higher than the feet, as before stated (preferably on the cooling board if you have one, and the steeper the incline the better), and again inject with the syringe about one pint of the Preservative into the stomach.

This, as before stated, will effectually prevent any further fermentation or decay of any substance remaining in the stomach.

And as a further safeguard against any substance running out of the mouth, and consequent staining of the pillow or lining of the casket, it is well to stop up the throat with a little cotton. For this purpose you should have an instrument (it may be of wood) made in the shape of a spoon handle and about eight inches long; with this you can easily push a ball of cotton saturated with the Preservative well down the throat. This is a precaution that should never be omitted when the body is to be kept any great length of time, or when it has to be transported on the cars or other conveyance to any distance.

Continue reading Prof. E. H. Crane's Manual of Instructions to Undertakers free in the Wunder reader →