1. Embalment Embalment Ssempijja Fred Dept. of Anatomy KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY DAR ES SALAAM college Gongo La Mboto, Pugu Road P.O Box 9790, Dar es Salaam–Tanzania Tel: +255-684934417, +255716778028 Fax: +255-222 843 252 E-mail: admin@kiu.ac.tz Website: www.kiu.ac.tz

2. EMBALMENT

3. Embalming the science of temporarily preserving human remains to forestall decomposition e.g. to keep them suitable for public display at a funeral, for religious reasons, or for medical and scientific purposes such as their use as anatomical specimens. In other words the goals of ~ are presentation, sanitization and preservation

4. History Several cultures are known to have used embalmment techniques in antiquity including Ethiopians, Guaches, Peruvian, jivaro, Chincorro, southern Nigerian tribes etc but it was in Egypt that this technique developed to a greater extent; where as early as the first ( 3200 BC) specialized priests were in charge of embalming and mummification. The Ancient Egyptians believed that preservation of the mummy empowered the soul after death, the latter of which would return to the preserved corpse.

5. Middle ages Due to widespread death during the American Civil War, embalming methods advanced considerably in the 1860s. The passage of President Abraham Lincoln’s body, which was made possible by embalming, brought wider public notice and acceptance to the practice. In Europe the knowledge and practice of artificial preservation had spread from these ancient cultures becoming widely spread by about 500 AD. The period of the middle ages and the renaissance is known as the Anatomists period of embalming and is characterized by an increased influence of scientific developments in medicine and the need of bodies for dissection purposes

6. History In 1867, German chemist August Wilhelm von Hofmann discovered formaldehyde. The substance replaced alcohol based mixtures and quickly became the foundation for modern methods of embalming.

8. Terms for Embalmers Funeral Director Embalmer Mortician

9. Modern Practices Embalming is as a result of accumulation of many decades, even centuries, of research, trial and error, and invention. It therefore involves several steps: The deceased is placed on the mortuary table in the supine anatomical position with the head elevated by a head block. Confirm death, Identify body. Remove any cothing, set aside personal effect (inventory) Practice modesty Wash the corpse while flexing and massaging the legs and arms (relieves rigor motis)

10. Modern Practices Cont. Set features e.g. using eye caps,sutures, adhesives and wires Take care of the facial expressions Process of Embalming Arterial embalming Cavity embalming Hypodermic embalming Surface embalming

11. Marerials used for Embalming

12. Grooming After the body is rewashed and dried, a moisturizing cream is applied to the body. Cosmetics create lifelike body; hide bruises, cuts & discolored areas Massage cream prevent dehydration Makeup e.g. lipstick mimic natural color, hairsprays/gels Powders eliminate odors; prevent oiliness

13. Clothing Stems from business attire, semiformal dresses to less formal clothing that’s worn on daily basis, or other favorite attire. Can also reflect deceased persons profession or vocation A funeral director may request a specific style of clothing, such as a collared shirt or blouse, to cover traumatic marks or autopsy incisions clothing may be cut down the back and placed on the deceased from the front to ensure a proper fit

14. Chemicals Embalming chemicals are a variety of preservatives, sanitizers, disinfectant agents and additives used in modern embalming to temporarily delay decomposition and restore a natural appearance for viewing a body after death. A mixture of these chemicals is known as embalming fluid and is used to preserve deceased individuals, sometimes only until the funeral, other times indefinitely. Typical embalming fluid contains a mixture of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, ethanol, humectants, and wetting agents and other solvents that can be used. The formaldehyde content generally ranges from 5 to 35 percent and the ethanol content may range from 9 to 56 percent.

15. For Anatomy Education Long term preservation is given first priority. As such, medical embalmers use embalming fluids that contain concentrated formaldehyde (37–40%, known as formalin)/gluteraldehyde as well as phenol and are made without dyes or perfumes Anatomical embalming is performed into a closed circulatory system. The fluid is usually injected with an embalming machine into an artery under high pressure and flow and allowed to swell and saturate the tissues. After the deceased is left to sit for a number of hours, the venous system is generally opened and the fluid allowed to drain out, although many anatomical embalmers do not use any drainage technique

16. Anatomical embalmers may choose to use gravity-feed embalming, where the container dispensing the embalming fluid is elevated above the body's level and fluid is slowly introduced over an extended time, sometimes as long as several days. Unlike standard arterial embalming, no drainage occurs and the body distends extensively with fluid. The distension eventually reduces, often under extended (up to six months) refrigeration, leaving a fairly normal appearance. There is no separate cavity treatment of the internal organs. Anatomically embalmed cadavers have a typically uniform grey colouration, due both to the high formaldehyde concentration mixed with the blood and to the lack of red colouration agents commonly added to standard, non-medical, embalming fluids. Formaldehyde mixed with blood causes the grey discoloration also known as "formaldehyde grey" or "embalmer's grey".