The History of Embalming Essay Example

It is important to mention that the Egyptians' reasons and techniques for embalming were highly perceptive. According to "The Embalming of the Dead" article in The Britain Medical Journal on May 28th, 1898, three methods of embalming were detailed...

In the case of poor individuals, their bodies were preserved by keeping them in matron for seventy days after rinsing the abdomen with Assyria. Illustrated here is a preserved mummy from thousands of years ago, which remains completely intact. Scientists have discovered DNA that can be cloned, dating back to approximately 3200 BCE, and have found evidence of anemia and hemolytic disorders. The Ancient Egyptians developed this process for over thirty centuries in their quest for better sanitation and an afterlife.

Transition Statement: h. Having discussed the origin of embalming, let's now explore how various men advanced embalming through discoveries of preservative fluids. II. Main Point Two- Men That Influenced Embalming Throughout the years, several men have made significant discoveries that have had an impact on the world of embalming. Some individuals have left a more significant mark than others. According to the 1990 BBC Science video, Raiders of the Human Body: The Vanities of Dry. Rush, Dr. Rush's technique of injecting substances into organs to reveal their blood vessels would become his trademark...

At the time, anatomical specimens were scarce, but Rush found a way to preserve the few he had permanently. Dry. Rush is known as the pioneer of embalming as he discovered the first effective method of arterial embalming. He used this technique to study human anatomy and create his own artistic masterpieces. However, it is important to note that Dry. Rush

was not the sole practitioner in exploring preservation methods for scientific purposes.

According to the Wyoming Funeral Directors Association website, embalming was not widely used in medieval Europe. However, advancements in medicine greatly influenced the development of modern embalming techniques. Several prominent figures in science and anatomy played a role in this progress, including Leonardo Advance who employed arterial injection to preserve specimens.

William Hunter is known for adopting arterial injection as a means of preserving. Alexander Butler and Wilhelm von Hofmann are credited with discovering formaldehyde, which became a key component in preservative fluids for embalming. These individuals played a crucial role in the expansion and enhancement of preservation techniques. Transition Statement: Having examined the evolution of embalming fluids and their scientific discoveries, let us now explore how embalming was introduced to the United States.

Embalming was not commonly practiced during the Dark Ages but gained popularity during the American Civil War with the introduction of modern embalming techniques. According to Robert G. Mayor's Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice (2005), military dead were typically buried near the battle site, although there were some cases where remains could be transported back home for local burial. However, in previous wars and at the start of the Civil War, there was no means of transporting deceased individuals back to their homes.

The Civil War necessitated families to personally locate their deceased relatives in hospitals and battlefields for appropriate burial. Dr. Thomas Holmes played a significant role as an embalmer, contributing to the increased usage of embalming techniques during this era. The Civil War Embalming Exhibit at the National Museum of Funeral History recognizes Holmes' contributions in offering his services

throughout this specific time period.

Thomas Holmes was constantly on the move from one battlefield to another, with his home being the tent located to the left of the main embalming tent. A visual aid of Dr. Thomas Rush at work showcases his dedication. His reputation soared after he embalmed Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, who served as a security guard to President Lincoln. Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Thomas Holmes embalmed over 4000 soldiers and officers and patented several inventions related to embalming.

Thomas Holmes's embalming practices during the American Civil War drew President Lincoln's attention, making embalming accessible to the general public. The impact of embalming has been historically significant and will continue to be so in the future. Its origins can be traced back over 6000 years ago in Egypt, with further development during the Dark Ages, although it was not widely used. Scientific advancements enabled its widespread application during the Civil War in the United States.

Embalming is an important process that involves preserving the body, allowing for various purposes such as being buried alongside loved ones and enabling scientific discoveries. In the modern method of embalming, the body is first washed with a germicide and rigor mortises are massaged out. Then, massage cream is applied to soften the skin. The features of the body are stuffed and drained, while gases and fluids are removed from the body cavity. Subsequently, the body is washed and dried before the face is painted up and hair styled, just prior to placing it into the casket. This starkly indicates the contrast between the ancient Egyptian method of embalming, mentioned earlier, and the contemporary method used today.