Embalming Week 9

Arterial Fluid

Concentrated preservative embalming chemical for injection into the arterial system during vascular embalming

Arterial Solution (Primary Dilution)

Arterial fluid mixed with water and other chemicals in the embalming machine

Cavity fluid

Concentrated fluid that is not diluted. Injected in the cavity following aspiration. May also be used for surface and hypodermic embalming

Supplemental Fluid

Chemicals used for purposes other than to preserve or disinfect

Accessory Chemicals

Applied to the surface of the body (gels and powders)

Special Purpose Fluids

Arterial chemicals for special body conditions such as jaundice, burns, decomposition, or bodies tha require high preservative demand

What is the function of arterial fluid?

To disinfect, preserve, and firm the tissues without causing objectionable changes in the tissues

Index

Strength of embalming fluid indicated by the number of grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100 mL of solution; usually refers to a percentage

What is considered a low index?

5-15

What is considered a medium index?

16-25

What is considered a high index?

26-38 and above

Active Dyes

Produce internal cosmetic effect within body tissues

Inactive Dyes

Only give color to the fluid in the bottle

What are the components of arterial fluid

Preservatives, disinfectants, vehicles, dyes, masking agents, and modifying agents

Preservatives

Chemicals that react with proteins to slow decomposition for a temporary period of time

What are the two most common preservatives

Formaldehyde and methyl alcohol

Formaldehyde works best with a pH between?

7.2 - 7.4

Formalin contains how much formaldehyde?

37% HCHO gas by mass in water and 40% HCHO by volume

Paraformaldehyde

Solid form of formaldehyde. Powder used in embalming and hardening compounds

Glutaraldehyde

Unlike formaldehyde, reacts with proteins over a wide pH range. Its a liquid in room temperature; effective against viruses and spores which makes it more effective as a disinfectant than formaldehyde

Phenol (Phenolic Compounds aka Carbolic Acid)

Preservative and germicide; readily penetrates skin and rapidly absorbs. Used in jaundice fluids because it won’t cause dark green discoloration like formaldehyde

Disinfectants

Chemical agents used chiefly on inanimate objects to destroy or inhibit the growth of harmful organisms, most notably bacteria and fungi. However, most disinfectants do not kill endospores

Vehicles

All preservatives and compounds must be dissolved in a solvent. The solvent must be compatible with all the compounds

What are the two vehicles used?

Water and alcohol

Masking (Perfuming) Agents

Cover harsh chemical odors and give “pleasant” odor to embalming solution

What are some examples of perfuming agents?

Oil of wintergreen, sassafras, clove, and bitter almonds