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Embalming

Mix together 5 however, carbolic acid has proved of much value pounds dry sulphate of alumina, 1 quart warni as a preservative, and its uses are increasing. water, and 100 grains arsenious acid. Inject Thus, diluted with about 50 times its bulk of 3 or 4 quarts of this mixture into all the vessels of the human body. This applies as well to all animals, birds, fishes, &c. This process supersedes the old and revolting mode, and has been introduced into the great anatomical schools of Paris. 1667. Preparation for Stuffing Birds and Animals. Camphor, 1 ounce; corrosive water, it forms a capital substitute for alcohol in preserving fish and other objects; and, in fact, the larger fish, such as rays, sharks, etc., can be kept much better by its aid than even by means of alcohol. Added in small quantity to very weak spirit, it very materially increases its preservative strength. 1674. Carbolic Acid as a Temporary sublimate, 1 ounce; alum, 1/2 ounce; sulphur, Preservative. Although carbolic acid can- 1 ounce; all finely powdered and mixed. not be used as a substitute for the usual

1668. Antiseptic for Preserving methods in setting up birds and mamrals, it Birds and Animals. The simplest means can be employed to very great advantage in of preserving anatomical and pathological keeping them fresh until they can be properly preparations is the use of the following solu- skinned. An experiment of this kind was tion: Saturated solution of alum, 100 parts; once made by Dr. Totten, of New York, who saltpetre, 2 parts. The article to be preserved prepared a solution of 1 drachm of carbolic is immersed in the solution, when it becomes acid, 1½ ounces each of glycerine and diluve decolorized; but in a few days the color re- alcohol, and injected it into the mouth, the turns, when it is taken out of the solution, rectum, and under the skin of a large cormoand kept in a saturated solution of alum and rant. The bird was kept on board ship antil water only. it reached New York, a period of about two months after its capture, and was then sent to a taxidermist, who found it to be in perfect condition, and who was able to mount it as satisfactorily as if it had been but just killed.

1669. Bécœur's Arsenical Soap.

Camphor, 5 drachms; arsenic, 4 ounces; white soap, 4 ounces; carbonate of potash, 12 ounces; air-slaked lime, 4 ounces; make a stiff paste with a little water. Used for pre- 1675. Von Vetter's Process for the paring the skins of birds and other small Preservation of Anatomical Specimens. animals.

Add to 7 parts of glycerine at 22° Baumé, 1670. Bécœur's Fluid Arsenical Soap. 1 part raw brown sugar and part nitre, till This is prepared as follows:-Cut 1 pound a slight deposit is formed at the bottom of the soap into thin slices, put it with a little vessel. The portion required to be preserved water into a pot upon the fire, stirring fre- is then immersed (dried or not dried) and left quently with a wooden spoon until dissolved; in the mixture for a time proportional to its add 6 ounces carbonate of potassa and 2 dimensions; a hand, for example, should reounces chaik. Then take it off the fire, and main eight days in the liquid; when it is add 1 pound arsenious acid, stirring it in taken out it is as stiff as a piece of wood, but thoroughly; lastly, pound 3 ounces camphor if it be suspended in a dry and warna place in a mortar with a little alcohol, and incorpo- the muscles and articulation recover their rate it with the rest of the ingredients. This suppleness. makes a composition of a consistence of paste.