Exam 4- Accessory Chemicals and Review Flashcards
A group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity fluids. Most are applied to the surface of the body (outside of the arterial system).
Accessory Chemicals
- Hardening compounds
- Preservative gels
- Preservative powders or embalming powders
- Sealing compounds
- Pack application
- Bleaching agents
- Tissue builder
- Triple base fluid
- Double based fluid
Germicidial, preservative, and dehydrating agents in a dry powdered form. They are direct contact solid chemicals used to treat the viscera.
Hardening compounds
A light sprinkling of this powder over all inner surfaces will deter putrefaction.
Purpose of Hardening Compound
- To treat the walls and skin flaps of the cranial, thoracic, abdominal, and pubic cavities after evisceration.
- Treat the viscera should the viscera be returned after an autopsy. Put in viscera bag.
- Applied to mutilated surface tissue, surface ulcers, gangrene, malignancies, burned cases, advanced decomposition. Use unionalls before sprinkling compound.
- Used as a reodorant powder on surface areas to hide or offset the odors of decomposition.
Uses of Hardening Compound
Always put these on first, then apply the powdered compound between these and surface tissues.
Plastic Goods
These start as aseptic wounds, as tissue becomes necrotic and cracks appear, bacteria invade and these become septic. The most common bacterial infections being:
- Staphlococcus
- Streptococcus
If this term shows up on a death certificate, it is important to notify the Medical Examiner.
Decubitus Ulcers (Bed Sores)
- Disinfectants and preservatives
- Dehydrating and hardening agents
- Moisture absorber
Components of Hardening Compounds
- Paraformaldehyde (CH2O)x -> x= different size
- Crystals
- Aluminum chloride AlCl3
- Alum Ka (SO4)2
- Phenol crystals (C6H5OH)x
Disinfectants and Preservatives (Hardening Compound Component)
Plaster of Paris (CaSO4)2- H2O (Never use, interacts with water)
- Can enter into embalmer’s lungs (dangerous)
- Can clog the sinks and piping system
Dehydrating and Hardening Agents (Hardening Compound Component)
- Clay
- Chalk-powder- whiting
- Wood flour
- Wood shavings
- Cork
- Salts
- Perlite (ground mothballs)
- Cellulose (sawdust)
Moisture Absorber (Hardening Compound Component)
It is recommended that the flaps and walls be jellied first, and then sprinkled with hardening compound.
Autopsied Cases
They are basically phenol in nature combined with penetrating agents in a gel or thick liquid form. Phenol-ingredient in gel prevents mold.
Preservative Gels (Mold Preventative Agents)
- Applied to expose surface tissues to prevent mold growth on cases held for long periods due to disposition.
- Applied to expose surface tissue to create rapid firmness to prevent decay and deter putrefaction.
- As a bleaching agent as long as there is no blood discoloration in the surface tissue.
- Can be used on autopsided bodies- applied to the skin along with hardening compound in the cavities to preserve. It does not absorb moisture.
Purpose of Preservative Gels
As a surface preservative, these gels are sufficient to deter decomposition long enouch for funeralization.
Preservative Gels
This a poor mold growth preventative; phenol is far superior for this function.
Formaldehyde
An example of this would be preservative gels applied over livor mortis or postmortem stain will cause severe graying of the tissues around the ears.
Preservative Gels as Bleaching agents Should not be Applied When there is Blood Discoloration in the Surface Tissue
- Basically the same as cavity fluid but mostly phenol.
- Paradichlorobenzene (“ene”= phenol) kills mold; most common in phenol.
Components of Preservative Gels
Highly germicidial agents in a dry powder form. They contain volatile agents and disinfect and preserve largely by the chemical fumes they liberate.
Preservative Powder
Preservative powder does not necessiarily need to be in direct contact with the surface tissue to effect preservation. They preserve by their ____ especially in a closed in or contained setting; put inside unional.
Fumes
- Preservation of the viscera if returned after an autopsy.
- Treatment of cavity walls and skin flaps on autopsied cases.
- Prevent adipocere tissue formation in autopsied cases.
- Surface embalming of problem areas such as mutilation, gangrene, ulcers, malignancies, burns, etc.
- Treatment of advanced decomposition when using a Ziegler Box or disaster pouch to emclose the remains.
Purpose of Preservative Powders
- Paraformaldehyde
- Polyoxymethylene
- Paradichlorobenzene
Compenents of Preservative Powder
Unlike hardening compounds, this is a non-moisture absorbing filler for preservative powders.
The Extender (Base)
- Preservative powders contain no moisture absorbing fillers and are not dehydrating.
- Preservative powders contain fungicidial agents and will inhibit mold growth.
- Preservative powders contain only active germicides and fungicides and no dehydrating fillers; therefore, they are more powerful disinfectants and preservatives than hardening compounds.
- Preservative powders are much more expensive than hardening compounds.
How do Preservative Powders Differ from Hardening Compounds?
Powders, creams, sprays, and liquid gels utilized to prevent leakage after injection of the remains.
Sealing Compounds
To provide a barrier or seal against any type of leakage of fluid or blood from incisions and other areas of the body.
Purpose of Sealing Compounds
Always remember to ____ all vessels, both arteries and veins after injection of the remains.
Ligate
- Moisture Absorbers
- Adhesives
Classification of Sealing Compounds
Should be used in combination with nonabsorbent cotton (batting cotton) or other fillers. That is the incision or cavity should be packed with a combination of the two.
Moisture Absorbers (Sealing Compounds)
- Powders
- Creams (clay or putty)
Two Kinds of Moisture Absorbing Sealing Agents
Various types of dry powder gums that rapdily absorb all moisture in the area and then form a glue-like substance which inhibits leakage. These are dehydrated gums that are water soluble and turn to glue when they contact moisture. Put inside the incisions.
Powders (Moisture Absorbing Sealing Compounds)
These are clay-like creams similar to putty or caulk that react with moisture to form a kind of cement.
Creams of Clays (Moisture Absorbing Sealing Compounds)
Liquid adhesives that are used to paint over or mask incisions, cavities, or raw surfaces. Unlike moisture absorbents, these are applied to the surface. Put outside the incisions.
Adhesive (Sealing Compounds)
- Sprays
- Liquids
Two Kinds of Adhesive Sealing Compounds
Usually some kind of plastic or resinous substance in an aerosol can which is sprayed over the area.
Sprays (Adhesive Sealing Compounds)
Glues that are applied with a brush applicator, attached to the top, to the area. They are mostly gels of resin, lacquer, creosote or glue derived from animal fat.
Liquid (Adhesive Sealing Compounds)
- Coagulating agents
- Preservatives
- Vehicle
Components of Sealing Compounds
A gel when in contact with moisture will eventually become hard as it dries.
Coagulating Agents
Phenol and cresol
Preservatives
Powder, cream, spray or gel
Vehicle
Cotton packs with some type of preservative or bleaching agent. Liquids or gels that are usually available in spay or pack form. They contain strong preservatives and dehydrating preparations and are applied to body surfaces.
Pack Application (Cavity Pack)
To dry and harden lesions or excisions on the body as well as the cavities of the body.
Purpose of Surface Application
- Coagulating agent
- Preservatives
- Vehicle
- Perfumes and masking agents
Components of Pack Application
Leather tanning chemicals.
Coagulating Agent (Pack Application)
Phenol, cresols, and aldehydes.
Preservatives (Pack Application)
Organic solvents (example: alcohol)
Vehicle (Pack Application)
- Surface embalming sprays
- Mold preventative agents or preservative jelly
- Any good bleaching cavity fluid used with absorbent cotton (Bleaching agents)
Three Types of Pack Applications
(Must read the MSDS sheet, some cannot be used as surface packs).
- As a bleaching agent
- To deter further desquamation
- Treat wet and dry gangrene
- Treat pustular and ulcerative lesions (decubitus ulcers)
- Surface or osmotic embalming
- To dry and harden lesions for restorative art work.
- As a reducing agent to reduce swelling puffed eyelids.
- To dry, harden and preserve excisions, skin flaps, cavity walls on autopsied cases.
Uses of Pack Applications
- Thoroughly cover area to be treated with liquid, jelly, cream or mist depending upon the product.
- For surface embalming, saturate absorbent cotton; also saturate area to be treated.
- Cover the entire are with plastic to contain fumes- casket wrapper, dry cleaner’s bag, or saran wrap.
- Monitor pack application every three or four hours; noticeable firming will take place.
Application of Pack Application
Especially watch the eyelids because this can cause sunken eyelids.
Pack Application
To offset and lighten the tissues affected by postmortem stain and/or ecchymosis/bruising.
Purpose of Bleaching Agents
This causes postmortem stain.
Hemolysis
Surface packs, hypodermic injection or co-injection into the vascular system in arterial fluid solutions (rare).
Application of Bleaching Agents
- Phenol
- Cresol
- Oxidizing Agents
Components of Bleaching Agents
Always check the lable of these to make sure they have bleaching capability (Check MSDS)
Cavity Fluid
This is to hypodermically inject solicone or massage cream into the layers of the tissue, only after arterial injection, to build up and restore the natural contours of the face and hands. Used after the body is embalmed.
Tissue Builder
- Always keep the top on bottle
- Keep needles clean with solvent (leave a little in needle)
- Massage cream is easier to correct- requires a larger gague needle.
Notes on Tissue Builder
- Component: phenol, alcohol and formaldehyde
- Is in disproportionate quantities because phenol and HCHO don’t mix well.
Triple Base Fluid
Any combination of the two components:
- Phenol and HCHO (disproportionate amounts, never 50/50)
- Alcohol and HCHO
- Again are in disproportionate quantities
Double Based Fluid
- Inactivate saprophytic bacteria
- Render the medium for which bacteria survive undesirable.
- Alter enzymes and lysins of the tissues to make them less suspectible to decompose.
Role Preservatives Play in Temporary Preservation
- The chemical acts directly on the protein of which the microbe lives.
- The chemical acts directly on some bacteria but usually not spores.
Role Germicides Play in Temporary Preservation
Some preservative chemicals may also act as _____.
Germicides
- Active Dyes
- Passive Dyes
Two Types of Dyes
Impart a stain into the tissue to create a more lifelike appearance in the deceased.
Active Dyes (Cosmetic Dyes)
So that the embalmer can easily distinguish the difference of various chemicals. If the embalmer accidentally mistook a bottle of cavity fluid for a humectant, the results but be devastating.
Passive Dyes
- Held keeps blood in a liquid state during arterial embalming.
- Reduces the minerals in the water.
- Active dyes are most effective when they are in a base environment.
- HCHO preserves better in an alkaline environment.
The 4 Purposes of Water Conditioners
- Hardening compounds
- Preservative powders
- Sealing agents
- Mold preventative agents
- Surface compresses
Various Types of Accessory Chemicals
