CHAPTER XV.. Absorption by the Capillaries.

Absorption by the Capillaries.

It is a well established fact that the capillaries or pores of the skin absorb liquids and many substances when in solution, as well as being channels of excretion of waste matter from the system.

“Draper’s Human Physiology” (a standard authority) says, page 241: “Besides exercising the functions of exhalation and perspiration, numerous facts demonstrate that the skin exerts an absorbent action. The endermic application of remedial agents establishes this in a satisfactory manner. That water can find access in this way is shown by the assuaging of the thirst which may occur on taking a bath; nor is the amount insignificant, since it may give rise to a considerable increase of weight.”

Salivation may be procured by the external application of mercurial preparations, the peculiar constitutional effects of cantharides (Spanish flies) on the urinary organs may occur from their external contact with the skin, and a multitude of such instances can be adduced to show the tendency to absorption through the pores of the skin.

From the above established facts, the risk in using poisonous substances for embalming purposes—more particularly solutions of arsenic—is greater than is generally realized. This deadly poison (arsenic) is so peculiarly diffusive and penetrating that it is even injurious to sleep in rooms papered with green wall-paper, the green coloring matter used in printing such colors on wall-paper being an arsenical preparation.

Contact of the naked skin with any arsenical solution is attended with risk in exact proportion to the extent and duration of such contact, the thickness of the skin, and some other modifications, as, for instance, this deadly poison (arsenic) will be absorbed more readily through the pores of the back of the hand than through the calloused palm, much more readily through the epithelial covering of the lips than other better protected parts of the body, and even if the Embalmer is careless of the consequences to himself from using such dangerous material for his work, he is in duty bound to take into consideration when using embalming preparations that the friends and relatives often take a parting kiss from the face of their dead after the application of such preparations, and he should use none that contain any such dangerous ingredients.

All such risks, both to the Embalmer himself and to all who come into contact in any manner with the dead, are entirely avoided when using the Excelsior Preservative. It is a perfect antidote, not only for septic poisoning from contact with infectious matter in handling dead bodies, but also a sure antidote to the dangerous effects arising from the use of any poisonous solutions that may be used for embalming purposes; and if for any reason such are used, or if there is any suspicion of danger of being inoculated with poisonous matter, I would urge for your own safety and protection that you freely use the Preservative, bathing your hands or any part that may be exposed to contact with the poison, as the free application of the Preservative will neutralize and destroy the poisonous matter and prevent any unpleasant or serious consequences.

The Preservative is not only perfectly harmless in its external contact with living flesh, but it is even remarkably curative in its effects when applied to chapped hands, sores, or even fresh cuts. This is, as a matter of course, outside of its legitimate use as an Embalming preparation, and I refer to it only as indicating the radical difference between the arsenical and other poisonous solutions (the so-called “fluids”) and the Excelsior Preservative, which last contains no such dangerous ingredients.