Embalming 2 Flashcards
What are the different types of embalming chemicals we discussed?
vascular (arterial) fluidscavity fluidspre-injection fluidsco injection fluidsjaundice fluidshardening compoundspreservative powderssealing agentssurface applications
injected to disinfect, temporarily preserve and restore the dead human body without causing objectionable change in the tissues
vascular (arterial) fluids
vascular (arterial) fluids are generally classified by what?
index
the number of grams of formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100 ml of water; usually given in a percentage
index
having an index of 28 - 36. Causes a rapid tissue coagulation.Causes a definite degree of firmness, used most often on “special cases.” (Decomposition, edema, outgoing, drowning, etc.)
strong (high) index
A strong or high index would consist of ____% by weight and ___ % by volume
3740
having an index of 19 - 27.Sometimes referred to as semi-firming or cosmetic fluid. Active shades of orange or red dye. (Oil based / cosmetic fluid). Results in a moderate firming of tissues. Normal Cases
medium (cosmetic arterial fluid)
any fluid with an index of 10 - 18. Produces a minimum firmness of tissues. Infant cases or adults 80 lbs or less
weak
What are the components of vascular (arterial) fluids?
preservativesupplementary germicideanticoagulantsvehicleperfuming agents, deodorants, or masking agentsdyessurfactantsmodifying agents
Chemical which inactivates saprophytic bacteria, render unsuitable for nutrition the media upon which bacteria thrive, and which will arrest decomposition by altering enzymes of the body as well as converting the decomposable tissue to a form less susceptible to decomposition. One of the components of arterial fluids
preservative
actions of preservative chemicals
- Inactivates the chemical group of proteins or amino acids2. Inhibits further decomposition3. Inactivates some enzymes4. Kills some microorganisms – not all5. Destroys odors
examples of preservatives
aldehydesalcoholphenol
an example of a preservative: deprived of hydration, its common name is formaldehyde
aldehydes
produced by the partial oxidation of methanol
formaldehyde
in its free state, formaldehyde is a _______, it is __________ in water which forms a ________. __________ is the universal solvent. Every solvent has a different ___________ rate
gassolubleformulawatersaturation
Characteristic of formaldehyde
Colorless gas Has an irritating and unpleasant odor – pungent Freely soluble in water Combines with tissue protein Is a monoaldehyde (one functional aldehyde group)
classified as a dialdehyde (Two functional aldehyde groups) Five carbons rather than one
Gluteraldehyde
2 types of alcohols (also examples of preservatives)
Methyalcohol (methanol or wood alcohol) Ethyalcohol (ethanol or grain alcohol)
an alcohol that has two primary uses - used commercially to manufacture formaldehyde- is also an antipolymerizing agent (ensures it stays in its liquid state)
Methyalcohol (methanol or wood alcohol)
an example of a preservative: obtained by the distillation of coal tar.- Used as cauterizer to prevent leakage on embalmed bodies- Also, a bleaching agent - inject it do not use as a surface application
phenol
One of the components of arterial fluids. Chemicals added for the purpose of destroying disease causing microorganisms
Supplementary GERMICIDES
Examples of supplementary germicides
Glutaraldehyde Quaternary ammonium compounds –
better disinfectant used as a supplementary germicide
Glutaraldehyde
agents that are usually used for disinfection of skin, oral, nasal cavities, and instruments. EXAMPLES: Benzalkonium and Zephrian
Quaternary ammonium compounds –
Chemicals which retard the tendency of blood to become more viscous (thicker) by natural postmortem processes or prevent adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals. This process is primarily accomplished by breaking down the calcium in the blood and water. One of the components of arterial fluids.- Also known as water conditioners or water softeners.- These chemicals help keep blood in a liquid state
ANTICOAGULANTS
Examples of anticoagulants:
Sodium citrate– .Sodium salt of EDTA = (Ethylenediaminetetrasodiumacetate) –
an example of an anticoagulant: white, odorless, crystalline or granular material is often used for its anticoagulation. This compound inactivates calcium in the blood as well as in the water supply. W/O calcium, blood coagulation does not occur
Sodium citrate
an example of an anticoagulant: very effective sequestering or chelating agents, means – they are readily combined with calcium ions to prevent blood coagulation and also to remove hardness chemicals from the water supply.
Sodium salt of EDTA
One of the components of arterial fluids. Liquids that serve as a solvent for the numerous ingredients that are incorporated into embalming fluids. They must serve as the carrier of the components found in the arterial solution. Alcohols
vehicle
most common vehicle
water
will also serve as a vehicle. (Tincture solution). Its most common use of as a vehicle would be cavity fluid
alcohol
One of the components of arterial fluids. Chemicals having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or of altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant odor.Odorless or fume less chemicals
PERFUMING AGENTS, DEODRANTS OR MASKING AGENTS
Examples of perfuming agents (4)
Methylsalicylate (oil of wintergreen) Benzaldehyde (oil of almonds) Oil of sassafras Oil of cloves
do not eliminate the effects that formaldehyde has on the operator.
Perfuming agents
One of the components of arterial fluids Substances which will, upon being dissolved, impart a definite color to the embalming solution and/or tissues.
DYES (coloring agents)
dye that will impart a color to the body tissue
Cosmetic dyes (active)
dye that will stain the concentrated arterial fluid.
Non-cosmetic dyes (inactive)
EXAMPLES OF DYES (3)
Eosin - redPonceau red - redErythrosine - brown-red tint
One of the components of arterial fluids Also called - surface tension reducers, wetting agents, and surface active agents. A chemical that reduces the molecular cohesion of a liquid so that it can flow through smaller apertures.Used in promoting fluid diffusion.Chemicals in dishwashing detergents that prevent sports on glasses
SURFACTANTS
Example of surfactants (wetting agents)
Sulfonate oils - an example is sodium lauryl sulfate (coconut oil)
One of the components of arterial fluids. Chemicals added to the embalming solution to deal with varying demands based upon the type of embalming, the environment, and the embalming fluid to be used. Chemicals which control the rate and extent of the embalming operation
MODIFYING AGENTS
Two modifying agents used in embalming fluids
HumectantsBuffers
A chemical used as a modifying agent that increases the ability of embalmed tissue to retain moisture (chemical that helps to control dehydration). Emaciated cases
humectant
Chemicals used as humectants are:
Glycerol (glycerin) – thick stuff, member of alcohol familySorbitolLanolin’s – massage stuff, liquid based.Glycols – has 2 OH groups – active ingredients in antifreeze
Chemicals used as modifying agents that will affect the acid-base balance (pH) within embalming solutions and in the embalmed tissue.
buffers
Chemicals used as buffers
Borax – reduces the hardening & graying action of formaldehyde.CitratesSodium salt of EDTASodium Phosphates -
Formulated to produce maximum disinfection and preservation with a minimum amount of fluid.
cavity fluids
Composition of cavity fluid.
PreservativesGermicidesVehicle (primarily alcohols)Perfuming agents
Fluid injected primarily to prepare the vascular system and body tissues for the injection of the preservative vascular solution. These fluids will also help keep the blood in a liquid state.
PRE-INJECTION FLUIDS
Components of pre-injection fluids
AnticoagulantsSurfactantsHumectantsVehicle (primarily water)Water conditioning agents
_________ fluids do not contain low preservatives
Pre-injection