Embalming 2 Exam 1 Flashcards
They are injected to disinfect, temporarily preserve and restore the dead human body without causing objectionable change in the tissues.
Vascular (ARTERIAL) fluids
Examples of risk or dangers of injecting vascular chemicals:
- Distention/swelling
2. Adverse color change
Why called vascular arterial fluid
85% of blood shift to venous side.
Most arteries have less intravascular resistance. None disease arteries have smmoth inner surface with no liquid coming out when open.
Generally classified by index
Lowest index is in jaundice fluid is 8-10 highest index 36 (as preservatives - only formaldehyde)
50 index uses other chemicals besides formaldehyde
Have 3 different index on shelf
3 classifications of Vascular/Arterial fluids
Strong, Medium, Weak
(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.” (Ship-out, floaters, decomposition, edema (edemaco), outgoing, drowning, etc.)
Saturation point of formaldehyde within the product is 37% by weight and 40 % by volume
Strong (high)
having an index of 19 - 27.
Sometimes referred to as semi-firming or cosmetic fluid. (Oil based / cosmetic fluid/shade pink or red or orange).
Results in a more natural texture/tone & moderate firming of tissues. Normal Cases
Max preservation time is 7-10 days
Medium (cosmetic arterial fluid)
any fluid with an index of 8 - 18.
Produces a minimum firmness of tissues.
Least amount of firming action
Infant cases or emaciated adults 80 lbs or less
Immersion embalming recommended for infants
Weak
Components of arterial fluids
Preservative Supplementary Germicides Anticoagulants Vehicle Perfuming Agents/Masking Agents
Chemical which inactivates saprophytic bacteria renders 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.
Preservative
Actions of preservative chemicals:
Inactivated the chemical group of proteins (muscles) amino acids Inhibits further decomposition Inactivates some enzymes Kills some microorganisms – not all Destroys odors
Examples of preservatives
Aldehydes
Alcohols
Phenol
general formula (R-CHO) functional group characteristic name ending in “-AL” (means ALCOHOL deprived of hydration – common name Formaldehyde)
Aldehydes
- Formaldehyde
- Gluteraldehyde
Produced by the partial oxidation of methylalcohol (methanol)
HCHO or CH 2 0
In its free state it is a gas – soluble in water which forms a formula. Water is the universal solvent. Every solvent has a different saturation rate.
Formaldehyde
Tries to prevent formaldehyde from converting to a solid form.
Used to manufacture formaldehyde.
Paraformaldehyde – solid form of formaldehyde
methylalcohol (methanol)
Characteristic of formaldehyde
Colorless gas (in its free state)
Has an irritating and unpleasant odor – pundgent
Freely soluble in water
Combines with tissue protein
Is a monoaldehyde (one functional aldehyde group; H-”CHO” ) one CHO - a dehydrating chemical
classified as a dialdehyde (Two functional aldehyde groups). Made of 5 carbons.
Reacts with protein over a wide pH range.
Rigor mortis is a post mortem chemical change* pH5
Gluteraldehyde
general formula R-OH with name ending in “-OL”
alcohols
- Methyl alcohol
- Ethyalcohol
(wood alcohol) Formula: CH3 OH
1st use - Used commercially to manufacture formaldehyde
2nd use - Added to production of chemical antipolymerizeing agent to prevent poloritization ie: telflon
Methyalcohol (methanol)
(grain alcohol) only one fit for human consumption
Ethyalcohol (ethanol)
obtained by the distillation of coal tar. Formula: C6 H5 OH
1. cauterizer – use to prevent leakage on embalmed bodies 2. bleaching agent - inject it do not use as a surface application
Phenol
Chemicals added for the purpose of destroying disease causing microorganisms.
Supplementary Germicides
Types 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 by natural postmortem processes or prevent adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals.
Anticoagulants
(This process is primarily accomplished by breaking down the calcium in the blood and water.)
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
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. (1st of 2 chemicals that have dual purpose in embalming)
Sodium citrate
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
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.
Vehicle
Most common is water.
Alcohols will also serve as a vehicle. (tincture)
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.
Perfuming agents or masking agents
Examples of perfuming agents
Methylsalicylate (oil of wintergreen) Benzaldehyde (oil of almonds) Oil of sassafras Oil of cloves (Perfuming agents do not eliminate the effects that formaldehyde has on the operator.)
Substances which will, upon being dissolved, impart a definite color to the embalming solution and/or body tissues.
Dyes (coloring agents)
Classifications of Dyes:
Cosmetic dyes (active) Non-cosmetic (inactive)
will impart a color to the body tissue. 1 to 2 oz
Cosmetic dyes (active)
will stain the concentrated arterial fluid.
Non-cosmetic (inactive)
Examples of dyes (active)
- Eosin - red
- Ponceau red - red
- Erythrosine - brown-red tint.
Also called - surface tension reducers, wetting agents, 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: