The Practice of Embalming

Question 1

How many stages of embalming development in Philippines?

Answer 1

4

Question 2

1st stage of development

Answer 2

Early Pre-Spanish Period (before 1200AD)

Question 3

2nd stage of development

Answer 3

Late Pre-Spanish Period and Early Spanish Period (circa 1200-1700 AD)

Question 4

3rd stage of development

Answer 4

Late Spanish (1700-1900)

Question 5

4th stage of development

Answer 5

American Settlement in Philippines (1904)

Question 6

A __________________ was commonly used. (especially in Cordillera and Panay regions)

Answer 6

mummification process

Question 7

What substances or solutions used on Early Pre-Spanish Period (before 1200 AD)

Answer 7

• Indigenous salt and herbal solutions with preservative and anti-microbial effects.

Question 8

In the mummification process, the deceased person is “configured” in a sitting position with knees bent so they almost touch the chest, the head is positioned with almost chin up and the arms hanging toward the buttocks (almost like fetal position)

The solution is “poured” into the mouth using a funnel. The configured body is then placed above cooking fire where the combination of heat and smoke contributed to the mummification process. Mummified bodies were placed in wooden coffins and stored in caves. Mummy caves can still be found in the Cordilleras today.

Answer 8

1st stage Early Pre-Spanish Period (before 1200 AD)

Question 9

Substances/ solutions used for 2nd stage Late Pre-Spanish Period and Early Spanish period (circa 1200-1700 AD)

Answer 9

• Indigenous substances and solutions
  (ex.: clay, sand mixed with herbal preservative solution with anti-microbial effects - lime, gypsum, and like)

Question 10

What development stage do substances or solutions were applied topically on all skin surfaces (from head to foot) and heat and smoke were used to aid the mummification process?

Answer 10

2nd stage - Late Pre-Spanish Period and Early Spanish Period (circa 1200-1700 AD)

Question 11

Substances/ solutions used for 3rd stage Late Spanish Period (1700-1900 AD)

Answer 11

• Preservative solutions often containing natural oils of plant origin
  ex.: turpentine, clove, rosemarys
  and/or
• Toxic heavy metals
  ex.: arsenic and mercury with anti-microbial effects

Question 12

What is the process of embalming in 3rd stage Late Spanish Period?

Answer 12

• Solutions were applied through arterial injection, intracavity, and intramuscular injection, and surface processes

Question 13

What is the process of embalming in 3rd stage Late Spanish Period?

Answer 13

• Solutions were applied through arterial injection, intracavity, and intramuscular injection, and surface processes

Question 14

What are the substances/ solution used for in 4th stage American Settlement in Philippines (1904)?

Answer 14

• Preservative solutions containing formalin and/or heavy metals were used.
• In remote places where formalin was not readily available, one expert said that a vinegar solution or fruit oils were injected into the arteries

Question 15

What is the process of embalming during 4th stage American Settlement in the Philippines?

Answer 15

• Solutions were applied to the cadaver through intravascular, intracavity, intramuscular and surface process

Question 16

___________________ a British physician, discovered blood circulation in 1628

Answer 16

• William Harvey

Question 17

When was the blood circulation discovered?

Answer 17

1628

Question 18

These first fluids contained ___________________________ that had anti-microbial or disinfectant effects.

Answer 18

• heavy metals (arsenic, mercury)
• chemical salts
• natural oils

Question 19

____________________ was reserved largely for the wealthy until after formaldehyde was discovered in 1859.

Answer 19

Arterial injection

Question 20

When was formaldehyde discovered?

Answer 20

• 1859

Question 21

It only became more general in use during the ________________________ when bodies of soldiers where embalmed so they could be shipped home for burial.

Answer 21

• American Civil War (circa 1862-65)

Question 22

2 groups that introduced the process of injecting embalming solutions into the body

Answer 22

• Spanish Catholic friars (circa 1642)
• American protestant missionaries (circa 1904)