embalming fluids and accessory chemicals

Two factors are necessary to obtain the best results with pre-injection

1. A sufficient quantity should be injected... at least 1 gallon 2. Some time should be allowed for the chemical to work properly.. at least 20-30 mins

Facts about co-injection fluids

1. May be part of both.. primary and secondary injections 2. They are mixed with arterial fluid so they are introduced concurrently with arterial embalming 3. Their composition is similar to pre-injection fluids 4. The amount of co-injection fluid should never exceed the amount of concentrated arterial fluid 5. Main difference between pre and co is the time of injection

composition of sealing agents

1. coagulating agents (tanning agents) 2. preservatives - usually phenol or cresol 3. vehicle

Médium index

16-25/ semi-hardening/ little dehydration

Strong index

26-36 /hardening and firming / problem cases

Weak index

5-15/ non-hardening/ used for jaundice cases, children and infants

Erythrosine

A brown powder that forms cherry red solutions in water

Ponceau red

A dark powder that is soluable in water and acid solutions which form a cherry red solution

Cavity fluids contain:

A much higher concentration of disinfectants and preservatives than arterial fluids and are meant to be diluted

Eosin

A red crystalline powder primarily used to embalm tissue

Oxalates

A white crystalline powder is not generally used due to its toxic nature, however it's an effective anticoagulant

Cirtates (sodium citrate)

A white odorless crystalline inactivated calcium in the blood as well as water supply.. without calcium.. blood cannot coagulate.

Dyes/coloring agents

Active dyes diffuse to tissues Inactive merely color the fluid in the bottle

Cosmetic fluids

Active dyes that give color to body tissues

Lanolin

Acts as an emollient which gives a soft like feel to the body

Supplementary germicides are:

Added to arterial embalming fluids specifically for the purpose of destroying disease causing microorganisms

Humectants are:

Agents which help to control tissue moisture balance.. makes embalmed tissue more flexible/rubbery

Index is considered

Amount of formaldehyde gas ( grams) dissolved in 100ml of water

Embalming fluid

An aqueous solution of gasses, liquids and solids injected into the arterial system for diffusion into the tissue cells to produce a state of preservation.

Glycerol/glycerin

An excellent solvent for disinfecting chemicals which increases their germ-killing power and a good lubricator

Cavity fluid

Are intended to be injected into the cavities of the body following aspiration for the purpose of preserving, disinfecting, and deodorizing organs

Sodium salt

Are not usually incorporated into arterial fluids because of its incompatibility with other ingredients

Vehicles

Are the solvent of arterial fluids that serve as carriers of the components found in embalming fluid

Organic salts

Are used to control the osmotic qualities of embalming fluids They act as buffers, anticoagulantes, preservatives, germicides and water conditioners

Surface embalming

As a surface compress to treat tissues not reached by arterial embalming To dry and deodorize lesions and pathological conditions Bleach blood discolorations and surface preservative of fetal remains

Co-injection fluids

Assist in distributing and diffusing the arterial solution and help to control and enhance the arterial fluid

Some deodorants are:

Benzaldehyde Oils of cloves, peppermint, sassafras

Buffers include:

Bórax Phosphates Citrates Carbonates Sodium salt Inorganic salts

Water conditioners include:

Citrates Sodium salt oxalates Borates

Gluteraldehyde

Cold chemical sterilants

Propylene glycol is:

Colorless, odorless and completely soluble in water. It is a superior solvent and inhibits mold growth

Coupling-compound system

Combines a chemical with bile pigment to decolonize the pigment

Facts about pre-injection fluids

Components include water conditioners, anticoagulantes, surfactants and humectants with very low concentration of preservatives 1. Some pre-injection fluids contain No formaldehyde at all 2. Most embalmers prefer to inject with drainage open and on bodies that are still warm

Deodorants/ masking agents

Compounds that have the ability to destroy odors by altering odor causing substances

Masking fluids

Contain a medium concentration of formaldehyde and cosmetic dyes to mask the yellow of bilirubin

Non- formaldehyde fluids

Contain no preservatives.. they are designed to remove the discolorations by flushing them from tissues and vascular system

Bleaching fluids

Contain the formaldehyde content and chemicals that will have a lightening or bleachin effect on the yellow color of bilirubin

Restorative fluids

Contain usually large amounts of Moisture retaining agents Their Purpose is to retain moisture and retard dehydration.. example.. lanolin

All aldehydes function by:

Cross-linking proteins

Other uses for cavity fluid:

Difficult cases such as advanced decomp, tissue gas and jaundice Do not use cavity fluids as arterial fluids

Edema fluids

Edema corrective co-injection chemicals are used dependent on the severity of the edema

Surfactants

Enable diffusion across the cell membrane allowing better penetration of the embalming solution. It's purpose is to facilitate the flow of embalming chemicals through the capillary walls and into the tissues

Dyes include:

Eosin Ponceau red Erythrosine Amarath

Vehicles purpose:

Facilitate the diffusion and penetration of the active preservative components of embalming fluid and keep active ingredients stable and uniform/ proper physical and chemical balance

Amaranth

Forms a dark red-brown color in water bit is only slightly soluable in alcohol

Formaldehyde (methanol, HCHO) is probably the most

Frequently used aldehyde

Quaternary ammonium compounds/QUATS are chiefly used for their:

Germicidal and deodorizing value They are not compatible with wetting agents so they are RESTRICTED TO: (nasal, oral, and skin) and are found in cold sterilization formulas/ mold proofing and deodorant sprays

Isopropyl alcohol has the best

Germicidal qualities out of all 3 alcohols

Phenol is also used as a:

Germicide, fungicide, and cautery, reducing, and drying agent and is restricted to cavity fluids

The second most used aldehyde is:

Gluteraldehyde

There are several humectants:

Glycerol/glycerin Sorbitol Glycols ( ethylene glycol, propylene glycol) Lanolin

There are 2 types of dialdehydes

Glyoxal Gluteraldehyde

Several modifying agents are:

Humectants, buffers, water conditioners, dyes and deodorants

Germicides:

Kill or render incapable of reproduction disease-causing microorganisms

Sorbitol

Loses water at a slower rate than glycerin therefore it is more efficient humectants than glycerin

Jaundice fluids

Low index arterial fluids: contain a concentration of formaldehyde low enough to prevent the conversion of bilirubin to biliverdin which will turn the body green

Buffers

Maintain desired ph for embalming. It stabilizes acid-base balance of the embalming solutions Most arterial fluids are slightly alkaline 7.2-7.4

Jaundice fluids contain:

Masking fluid, bleaching fluid, non- formaldehyde fluids, coupling compound system, and chemical addict system

Alcohols... 3 types used

Methyl alcohol Ethyl alcohol Isopropyl alcohol

Methyl salicylate Oil of wintergreen ( primary ester used in embalming as a reoderant)

Oil of wintergreen ( primary ester used in embalming as a reoderant)

First injection is called

PRE-injection

Arterial fluid may be parto of both

Primary and secondary injection

Gluteraldehyde's advantages

Reacts with protein structures over a wide PH range Less dehydrating than formaldehyde And is known as a "cold chemical sterilant"

Bórax (borates)

Stabilizes formalin for long periods. It also reduces the hardness and graying of formaldehyde

Glyoxal tends to:

Stain tissue yellow limiting its use mainly to cavity fluid formations

The most common surfactants are:

Sulfinates and sodium laurel sulfate

Modifying agents

They influence the chemical reactions produced by the preservative solution and function to control the rate of action of the main preservative agents

Ethylene glycol is a:

Thick colorless liquid with very little odor. Readily soluble in water, can be used in conjunction with other humectants or on its own

Methyl alcohol(methanol, wood alcohol)

This alcohol will cross-link proteins as well as being an anti-polymerizing agent for formaldehyde

Gluteraldehyde

This chemical produces less firming than formaldehyde and has outstanding disinfectant qualities

Phenol (carbolic acid)

This functions as a preservative and disinfectant, but by itself it's a bleaching agent (Also used on anatomical specimens/putty gray appearance

Hypodermic embalming

Through injection directly into tissues that were not reached sufficient vía arterial embalming

PRE-injection (capillary wash)

Used to flush the blood vascular system of the blood and prepare it and the tissues for the injection of the preservative 1. Allows for greater distribution of the arterial fluid 2. Clears discolorations 3. Adjust PH 4. Reduces blood coagulation

Water conditioners:

Used to reduce hard water and maintain blood in the liquid state to facilitate its removal... it retarded the viscosity of blood

Vehicles include:

Water, alcohols like ethanol methanol and glycerin

Chemical adduct system

Where a chemical is combined with formaldehyde to inhibit its immediate action on tissues.. but is slowly released at a Later time

Examples of QUATS

Zephiran chloride, roccal, germitol

other uses for liquids and gels

a preservative in the orbital area after enucleation 2. applied to surface areas of the body which have not received sufficient arterial fluid 3. bleach discolored areas such as ecchymosis and postmortem stains 4. preserve, cauterize, and deodorize burned tissue 5. pack the anal orifice and colostomy stoma

hardening compounds

are blends of germicidal and dehydrating agents in dry powdered form which dry moist tissue

cauterizing agents

are liquids that are basically phenol (carbolic acid) they contain about 2-5 percent phenol and can be applied where skin has been removed such as abrasions, skin slip, open blisters, and burned areas

liquids and sprays of sealing agents

are used by coating over sutured incisions, in cavities, on raw surfaces or on pin-point leakage. Dry quickly into a tough elastic film that will not allow the escape of blood or liquids

sealing agents/compounds

are used to provide a barrier or seal against any type of leakage of fluid or blood they come in 2 forms: powders and creams liquids and sprays

paradichlorobenzene

arrest mildew and mold

alum

dehydrating agent, and disinfectant

aluminium chloride

dehydrating agent, and disinfectant

plaster of paris

dehydrating and hardening agent

liquids and gels

designed as surface or osmotic preservatives and are used to treat the cavity walls and viscera of autopsied remains

composition of mold preventative agents

disinfectant- paraformaldehyde moisture absorber - paradichlorobenzene (moth balls)

cauterizing agents also are:

good germicides. Can be injected into hematoma

preservative powders/embalming powders

highly germicidal agents in powder form

primary use for hardening compounds

is in the treatment of the cavities of autopsy cases, and treating the viscera by direct contact with solid chemicals/minimal preservation for mutilated cases or for application to mutilated tissues, surface ulcers, gangrene, or skin cancers

purpose of preservative powders

is visceral preservation in autopsied cases, mutilated areas, gangrene, ulcers, cancers, burned bodies, drowning victims and stillborn infants ***they largely disinfect by the chemical fumes they liberate ***they do not contain moisture absorbing fillers so they are not dehydrating

whiting

moister absorber

clays

moisture absorber

components of hardening compounds

paraformaldehyde aluminum chloride alum fillers: perlite and cellulose plaster of paris clays whiting

mold preventative agents

powders designed to absorb moisture and kill bacteria in the environment of the body preventing mold formation on the body surface, clothing or casket interior

paraformaldehyde

use as a preservative and disinfectant

powders and creams of sealing agents are used on:

vascular incisions, wounds, ulcerations, or other moist areas. They rapidly absorb moisture and turn into a glue like substance which inhibits leakage

perlite

volcanic rock powder/dehydrating

cellulose

wood powder, sawdust/dehydrating