To understand the interaction between body chemistry and the use of specially formulated chemicals used in the process of embalming, one must understand basic combinations of inorganic and organic chemistry as they relate to disinfection and preservation.
Inorganic – deals with inanimate or lifeless matter. It is the study of all the elementary substances.
Organic – considers matter of which living things are composed or which is associated with life forms. It is a study of the compounds of carbon.
VOCABULARY OF APPLIED EMBALMING CHEMISTRY
Energy – the ability to do work
Matter – anything that occupies space – solid has definite shape, liquid takes the shape of the container in which it is placed and gas has no definite shape with particles freely moving about in space.
Element – basic form of matter.
Compound – two or more elements firmly united in definite proportions.
Formula – an abbreviation expression for a compound.
Mixtures – two or more elements not firmly combined in any definite proportions.
Solution – uniform mixture of particles of molecular size.
Solute – the substance dissolved in a solution.
Solvent – the medium of solution in which the solute is dissolved.
Solubility – the amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent under given conditions.
Saturation solution –a solution which has dissolved as much solute as it can under given conditions.
Dilute solution – one which contains a relatively small amount of solute.
Embalming Fluid – a combination of disinfecting and preserving chemicals which eliminate bacteria and react with body substances to form a resinous substance that is resistant to microbial destruction embalmed tissue should maintain a natural consistency and appearance.
Index – Number of grams of HCHO per one hundred cc of fluid.
There are three types of embalming fluids: Pre-injection – Capillary wash No HCHO and Primary fluid; Arterial Fluid – Firming or hard, Medium (semi-firm or cosmetic fluid) and Non-firming; Cavity fluid – Non-fuming, odorless and Non-Irritant.
Supplemental fluids: Co-injection, Humectants, Water conditioners and Cosmetic (dyes and stains).
Special Purpose fluids: Jaundice, Extra firming and Edema Fluids.
Accessory Embalming Agents: Hardening Compounds and Pulverized.
Embalming powders: HCHO, Sprays, Gels, Creams, Bleaches and Deodorizers.
Special Application Chemicals/Accessory agents: Sealing compounds, Drying compounds, Tissue builders, Adhesives, Water conditioners and Drug and Stain neutralizers.
Drainage Fluid/Pre-Injection Fluids: Capillary Wash – Designed to prepare the vascular system for arterial preservative, increases penetrative power of preservative solution, prevents clotting (dilutes blood), offsets astringent and dehydrating properties of the preservative solution used prior to arterial preservative chemicals, lubricates and dilates blood vessels, may be neutral or alkaline in composition, neutralizer of acid condition, reduces rigor mortis (rigidity), builds up moisture content, insures uniform distribution of preservative chemical and improves cosmetic effect.
Primary True Drainage Chemicals: Single Base preservative; Triple base Preservatives.
Primary Fluids: Contain triple base preservative, non-coagulative to blood, non-astringent to capillary network, removes calcium, dilutes blood, does not affect fragmented hemoglobin, fragments blood clots and sludge, used as co-injection, neutralizes drugs and other therapeutic chemicals, does not create water-logging (accumulation), washes creating distention and setting the stage for abnormal swelling when arterial preservative is introduced.
Arterial Fluid: Concentrations of less than 1% do not gel proteins, concentrations of less than 1% are non-bactericidal, *concentrations of more than 1% gels then fixes proteins, concentrations of more than 1% are bactericidal, prevents autolysis from the body’s own enzymes, fixes muscle tissue preventing sagging and/or distortion, allows for creation of natural appearance, permits leisurely disposal of body under adverse conditions, provides for transfer (shipping cases), provides for repose/viewing. [*insoluble albuminoids (inert substances)]
Types of Arterial fluids (old standard) Formulated chemistry varies the descriptions
Firming or Hard: High in formaldehyde content 26-36 index, rapid tissue fixation, definite degree of firmness, dehydrating, use for problem cases.
Medium, semi-firm or cosmetic: Formaldehyde content 17-25 index, moderate fixation, rubbery firmness, little dehydration.
Non-firming: formaldehyde content 3-10 index, used for special cases (children), minimum rigidity/fixation.
Cavity fluid
Mild odor
Low odor: secondary quick acting preservation chemical, high formaldehyde content or formaldehyde potential compounds, strong fixing agent, strong germicidal agent, cannot be used safely as an arterial chemical.
Fumeless: formaldehyde potential compounds, odor suppressing agents, odor masking perfumes, phenols.
Formaldehyde, the primary preservative of most embalming fluids, may be bactericidal due to its chemical nature to inactivate protein. Triple-based arterials provide additional preservatives for complete interaction with variable body tissues.
Formaldehyde HCHO is a colorless gas with a pungent and irritating odor. It is soluble in water. Formaldehyde is used in the gaseous form as a germicide and disinfectant and in water solution (formalin) as a preservative and germicide.
Formaldehyde: Concentrated in solid form (96% pure) paraformaldehyde, paraformaldehyde combined with sulfur – burned as a fumigator, activity greatest in an acid solution, does not affect fabrics, colors or metals, reacts and inactivates proteins.
Formalin: A saturated aqueous solution of HCHO, 40% of a mixture is HCHO gas, 60% of a mixture is water and other solvents, 40% HCHO gas IN 60% water = 100% FORMALIN, 30% HCHO gas in 70% Water = 75% formalin, 20% HCHO gas in 80% water = 50% formalin, 10% HCHO gas in 90% water = 25% formalin.
When formalin was first introduced in its raw form as a body preservative, the major problem was the walling off effect and graying action. As chemical formulation developed, a new industry developed out of need. An industry based on the scientific method became the foundation of the Art and Science of Embalming.
Embalming Technology Part 14 will deal further with Chemistry of Embalming.