Decomposition-Arterial flud- Test 3 Material Flashcards
- Autolysis
- Hydrolysis
- Putrefaction
- Decay
- Deamination
- Decarboxylation
- Origins of tissue gas
Chemistry of Decomposition
The self destruction or self-digestion of the body tissues by substances produced within those tissues; the decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance. (Microscopic droplets of acid hydrolase).
Autolysis
The double decomposition of a compound through the use of water. This chemical reaction initiates the putrefactive process- simply the splitting of water molecules.
Hydrolysis
The decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes of anaerobic bacteria occurring after cellular death (pH of 8).
- Involves 3 major chemical reactions.
Putrefaction
- Hydrolysis
- Deamination
- Decarboxylation
Three Major Chemical Reactions of Putrefaction
The decomposition of proteins caused by the action of enzymes of aerobic bacteria.
Decay
This reaction is the removal of an amino group from an amino acid. Each amino acid undergoes a specific reaction, but in general ammonia and an organic acid are the end products. If extensive putrefaction has occurred before embalming, there will be a higher than normal HCHO demand due to the production of ammonia. An abundance of ammonia will neutralize HCHO, making it ineffective.
Deamination
By this reaction, the carboxyl group of an amino acid is removed. The end products are:
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- An amine
The amines may be further broken down into ammonia and various hydrocarbons.
Decarboxylation
Deamination and decarboxylation occur simultaneously, resulting in:
- Hydrocarbons
- Organic Acids
- Amines
- Ammonia
- Carbon Dioxide
- Hydrogen Sulfide
Final End Products of Decomposition
The primary organism causing this is clostridium perfringen (clostridium welchii, gas bacillus). In this antemortem stage, it causes gas gangrene. It may enter the body from open wounds or penetrate tissue from the intestinal canal. The greater the postmortem interval, the greater the chance of this.
Tissue Gas (Postmortem Emphysema)
It is impossible to treat and contain. The rapid freezing of the body with 10 or more one-pound blocks of dry ice (solidified carbon dioxide) placed with the body in a heavy rubber zipper bag will half decomposition, odor and leakage.
Advanced Stages of Tissue Gas
A six-point injection with special chemicals like liquid San-Veno (Brand Name) plus aspiration and reaspiration and injection of high index cavity fluid (above 40) plus supplemental hypodermic injection of concentrated cavity fluid in problem areas may allow for an open casket. Read directions carefully on label. Clean machine immediately after using.
Early Stages of Tissue Gas
- 35+ index HCHO
- Gasoline
- Kerosene
- Other chemicals recommended
These chemicals are not only injected arterially, they also should be hypodermically injected into the site of infection.
Other Chemicals Embalming may Include for Tissue Gas
This is one of the few times that waterless embalming might be considered.
Tissue Gas
After using San-Veno and other astringent chemicals.
Immediately Clean Machine
Chemicals which inactivate saprophytic bacteria, render unsuitable for nutrition the media upon which bacteria thrive, and which will arrest decomposition by altering the enzymes and lysins of the body as well as converting the decomposable tissues into a form much less susceptible to decomposition.
Preservatives
A saturated aqueous solution of HCHO which contains 40% by volume and 37% by weight of HCHO and 7% methyl alcohol (commercial formalin is stabilized by this, prevents polymerization).
Formalin
Dehydration and irritation of the skin following contact with formalin. Prolonged or frequent exposure to HCHO may result in severe dermatitis. Allergy to latex gloves also will cause skin cracking.
Embalmer’s Eczema
Such as formaldehyde and dialdehydes like gluteraldehyde and adialdehyde are the most commonly used aldehydes in embalming fluid complications.
Lower Mono-Aldehydes
Means the same as formaldehyde. When a word ends in al, it is an aldehyde. If a word ends in ol, it is an alcohol.
Methanal
Operates best at pH of 7.2 and 2% activated in solution is both a good preservative and germicide. Many embalmers prefer this over formaldehyde based arterial fluid. (5 Reasons)
Gluteraldehyde
- Less dehydrating
- Cross linking with both insolublized protein as well as polyhydroxy compounds.
- Many more times more effective than HCHO.
- Reacts with proteins over a wide variety of pH ranges.
- This is important because at death, the pH varies throughout the deceased.
- It is a liquid state versus HCHO’s gaseous state.
Reasons why Many Embalmers Prefer Gluteraldehyde over HCHO
Carbolic acid C6H5OH. It is obtained by the distillation of coal tar. The pure compound is colorless, interlaced, needle-shaped crystals, someties acquiring a pinkish tint. It has an aeromatic odor and is soluble in water, alcohol and glycerine. It is a strongly poisonous and reliable disinfectant and a good preservative against putrefaction and fermentation.
Phenol
When used by themselves, serve as bleaching agents fpr discolorations on skin surfaces and cauterants. When used with formaldehyde, the result is disasterous. (The tissue takes on a putty gray color particularly on contact with extravasated blood. (Example: bruises, the blood out of the vascular system can’t get out, turns grey (worst on ears.- HCHO grey)).
Phenol
In cavity fluid and preservative jelly. Be sure that all jelly is off of the face before applying cosmetics.
Phenol is Found:
Should not be injected.
Phenol Jelly
Inorganic salts that have molecules small enough to pass through semi-permeable membranes and pass through capillary walls and into the tissue cells to produce disinfection and preservation. It is by altering the type and concentration of salts used in arterial fluid formulas that specific gravity, hardening powder, and a number of other important properties of an arterial fluid can be controlled.
Crystalloids
Have no negative effect on pH so they present no danger to arterial fluid diffusion.
Salts
Salts were first used by Egyptians in _____ and are still used today.
Natron
Used to stabilize the pH 7.35-7.45 constant.
Salts
Not used since most states outlawed their use in 1920. The Inorganic salts used today are not salts of heavy metals.
Salts of Heavy Metals
Medical schools do have permission to use these for the medical cadavers.
Salts of Heavy Metals
Lower- Methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol are often used in combination with aldehydes and preservatives. These also have the ability to cross-link proteins, but to a lesser extent than aldehydes.
Alcohol
- Act as a methylene group donor for the cross-linking.
- Function as an anti-polymerizing agent preventing formaldehyde to percipitate and forming para-formaldehyde.
Methanol is Used More Often Than Ethanol
Has the best germicidial qualities of the three types of alcohol.
Isopropyl Alcohol
This type of alcohol is most popular because it penetrates the body tissues and has a toxic effect on bacteria and is successful in destroying other organisms present at death.
Methanol
Compounds that react in the presence of a proper catalyst and give off HCHO at a slow rate.
Formaldehyde Donor Compounds (Condensation Products of Formaldehyde)
This is usually used as the catalyst for formaldehyde donor compounds.
Potassium Carbonate
The ability to produce a “fumeless” arterial chemical which will not be irritating to the operator.
- Fumeless is a misnomer- also contains deodorants.
Advantages of HCHO Donor Compounds
They have a slow reaction rate with the tissue since the release of HCHO is slow.
Disadvantage of HCHO Donor Compounds
The embalmer is not sure, after injection, that all parts of the body have recieved fluid.
The Greatest Danger in Using “Fumeless” Embalming Chemicals
Also called “Light” aldehydes.
HCHO Donor Compounds
The commercial source of formaldehyde, most commonly used for the preservative purpose.
Formalin
Chemicals which kill or render incapable of reproduction the disease causing microorganisms. They do not kill spores.
Germicides
Excellent surface active agents and are widely used for the disinfection of surface areas, oral and nasal cavities and are sold as aerosol sprays to the embalmer. As a liquid, these can be found in cavity fluid and instrument cleaner and disinfectants.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATS)
These are cationic detergents; they are effectively neutralized by anionic substances. Arterial fluids contain a number of anionic substances; because of this incompatibility, quats useage is restricted to cavity fluid and surface disinfectants.
Quats
- Zephiran
- Chloride
- Roccal
Most Common Quats used in Embalming Chemistry
This does not have quats in it. Do not count quats based cavity fluid because it has adverse effects on arterial fluid (turns to flake).
Arterial Fluid
Quats are such good surface disinfectants they are sometimes called ___ ____ ____ when used as the manufacturer recommends.
Cold Chemical Sterilants
The most popular germicide used in arterial fluid. Also is a much better cold chemical sterilant than quats. It is “the” cold chemical sterilant.
Gluteraldehyde
These are not injectible.
QUATS
Seldom used today in arterial fluid but remains popular today in caivty fluid and preservative jelly.
Phenol
Include basically the same group of chemicals.
Preservatives and Germicides
Other aldehydes usually classified as preservatives can also be germicides.
- HCHO
- Methanol
- Salts
Also Included as Germicides
The important requirement of an aldehyde is that it possesses denaturing and cross-linking properties which enable it to produce firmness of tissue.
Other Aldehydes
- Acetaldehyde- ethanal
- Propionaldehyde- propanal
- Pyruvic aldehyde- methyl glyoxal
Lower or Light Aldehydes Used in Embalming Preparations
- Furfural
- Benzaldehyde
Higher or Heavier Aldehydes used in Embalming Preparations
Chemicals which retard the tendency of blood to become more viscous by natural postmortem processes or prevent adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals.
Anticoagulants
- Non-preservative
- Pre-injection fluid
- Co-injection fluid
Anticoagulants may be the Principal Ingredients of these:
The key factor for blood clotting to occur. As the blood settles to the dependent parts of the body during hypostasis, it has a tendency to clot and become thicker.
The Presence of Ionized Calcium
To help dislodge and break up blood clots.
The Purpose of Anticoagulants
- Precipitant
- Sequestering agents
Two Types of Anticoagulants used in Embalming Chemistry
These ingredients precipitate soluble calcium into insoluble form; they tie up or bond calcium ions.
Precipitant
The most common precipitant which is also used in water conditioners. Both sodium oxalate and sodium borate are also used but not as often.
Sodium Citrate
Certain chemicals such as tetrasodium diacetic acid (TDA) and Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Aid (EDTA) have the property of sequestering the blood calcium, thus isolating or “fencing it off” from the reaction and inhibiting further coagulation of the blood.
Sequestering Agents
Solidification of the tissue cell protoplasm or protein by means of heat or chemicals.
Coagulation
The clumping together of the blood cells to form a clot. The components in most arterial fluid will dilute and separate the blood cells and thus retard this.
Clotting
These are quite alkaline and are not compatible with other ingredients in embalming fluids over long shelf life. Such materials are used most advantageously as separate formulations, that is, in the form of supplemental or accessory chemicals that can be added to the formulation at the tie of use as a pre-coinjection.
- Buy in separate bottles
- Water conditioners are great clot dispersers
Sequestering Agents
These are used to maintain blood in a liquid state and to facilitate the removal of blood from the circulatory system. The materials employed for this purpose also function as “water softeners” or “water conditioners.” When added in sufficient concentration, they will reduce to zero hardness, or nearly so, water used in preparing the embalming solution.
Anticoagulants
- Citrates
- Phosphates
- Oxalates
- Borates
- Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid salts (EDTA), etc.
Compromises many of the buffer systems employed to maintain a constant pH value of the fluid.
Anticoagulants
Liquids which will serve as a solvent for the many ingredients incorporated into an embalming fluid.
- Since embalming is accomplished by injection of the blood vascular system, the chemical components must be suspended in a liquid medium.
Vehicles (Carrier, Diluent, Vector)
- Water
- Methanol
- Ethanol
- Glycerin
Most Commonly Used Vehicles
- Should not react with the active components of the embalming fluid, thereby rendering them useless.
- Should not react with the tissue of the circulatory system since this would interfere with distribution and diffusion of the preservatives and disinfectants.
What the Vehcile Must NOT do in Embalming Chemistry
Often more expensive than water.
Vehicles
This is the best vehicle because it will dissolve more formaldehyde than water will.
Alcohol
A colorless, poisonous liquid which is a good solvent, especially for HCHO, and it has some antiseptic and preservative qualities.
Methanol (Methyl Alcohol, Wood Alcohol)
Is a clear and colorless liquid which can be used as a dehydrating agent as well as a vehicle coagulating and preserving tissues.
Ethanol
Does an excellent job of helping to keep the active ingredients in a stable and uniform state, while they are being transported through the vascular system and into tissues. It will compose almost half of the HCHO solution.
Water
This is a common solvent in which the rest of the ingredients can be dissolved easily and readily. Most emblaming formulations consist of a mixture of alcohols, glycerin-like materials, water and possible glycols which function to keep the ingredients of the formulation in proper chemical and physical balance. It is necessary for ths class of compounds to also provide some stability to the formulation. In specially designed formulations, it is possible that a special solvent may be added as a part of the innovation to dissolve or keep in solution any special additive material in the product.
Summary: Vehicle, Diluent, Carrier, Vector
Chemicals which reduce the molecular cohesion of a liquid and thereby enable it to flow through smaller apertures.
Surfactant (Wetting agents, Surface Tension Reducers, Penetrating Agents, Surface Active Agents)
Surfactants increase this by increasing the speed of penetration into the bacterial cell. Surfactants accomplish this by lowering the surface tension of the solution.
Germicidial Activity
Surfactants increase the ability of the arterial fluid to filter through the semi-permeable capillary walls in an even and uniform manner thus making it possible to incorporate coloring agents, specifically ___ ___, in the solution and obtain an even internal cosmetic staining effect.
Active Dyes
At the surface of a liquid, water molecules are pulled inward. This draws the surface molecules more tightly together, forming a kind of skin or outer covering. Surfactants penetrate the skin.
Surface Tension
Surfactants cause the almost immediate clearing of blood from the _____ by reducing surface tension causing the blood to move and flow into the vascular system.
Capillaries
Surfactants lower the surface tension of the ____ ____ ____ allowing it to penetrate and flow more rapidly through the capillaries so that all of the millions of tissue cells are literally bathed in ____ ____ ____.
Arterial Fluid Solution
Enhance Preservation
Surfactants
The force required to accelerate a one gram mass one centimeter per second. (Measure surface tension).
Dyne
- Methol alcohol- 22
- Surfactants used in arterial fluid- 37
- Water- 72
Examples: Dynes
The lower the surface tension dyne centimeter, the ____ the rate of penetration by the fluid.
Faster
- Sulfonates
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Most Commonly Used Surfactants
A commercially produced from lauryl alcohol which is obtained by the catalytic reduction of coconut oil. It is then added to sulfuric acid and an alkali.
Sodium Laurly Sulfate (Poison)
The over agitation of the arterial fluid in the embalming machine, causing the surfactant to separate and rise to the top of the machine.
Danger- Surfactants
Developed during the early ____’s, Surfactants (surface active agents, wetting, penetrating, emulsifying agents, “tension breakers” or tension reducers)- This class of compounds is used to promote diffusion of the preservative elements to ultimate through saturation of the tissues, and also, to help produce uniform distribution of the coloring agent for internal cosmetic effect purposes.
1930
Their presence in chemical solution aids in the displacement of body liquids from body tissue so that the injected preservative chemical elements may readily replace the volume previously occupied by body liquids.
Surfactants
- Sulfonated oils (alkyl aryl sulfonates)
- Polyethylene glycol ethers
- Alkyl aryl polyether sulfonates
- alkyl aryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
Examples of Surfactants
