US1870123A - Embalming fluid - Google Patents

Description

Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFEE HILTON IRA JONES, 0F WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNQR 0F ONE-HALF T0 RAUL H.

BUGHANAN, TRUSTEE FOR THE NATIONAL SELECTED MOBTICIANS 0F WASHING- TON, D. 6., A CORPORATION No Drawing.

This invention relates to an embalming fluid and method of making same. It has been proposed to use as an embalming fluid solutions of sodium arsenate. While these solutions are excellent embalming agents their use was discontinued because of their highly poisonous character which prevented subsequent examination of the body for arsenic poisoning. As a consequence these solutions are practically prohibited in'many of the jurisdictions.

it was also proposed to'use formaldehyde as the basic ingredient for embalming fluid and it is now almost universally used. However, such fluids have many disadvantages in that the formaldehyde content continually decreases with age. This deterioration is especially rapid if the fluids are exposed to direct sunlight. The formaldehyde is oxidized to formic acid. Thus substan:

tially allof the formaldehyde fluids after a certain time show an acidreaction.

Formaldehyde is not a powerful germicide, but instead it acts on the protein of the tissues of the body by uniting with the amino acids much in the same manner as it does with ammonia, thereby forming compounds which are slowly attacked by the germs of decomposition. Consequently it will be observed that formaldehyde should be regarded as a retarding agent rather than a germicidal agent.

A further disadvantage of the use of formaldehyde resides in the fact that it is a de-- hydrating agent and therefore, tends to cause constriction of the capillaries. Good drainage is thereby prevented and if a suificient quantity is used for effective purposes, causes hardening of the tissues to such an extent that a very unlifelike condition results. Since these formaldehyde fluids are always acid in reaction, the use of many modern highly powerful germicides is made impossible because of the fact that they can only be used in neutral or slightly alkaline solutions.

()ne reason alkaline embalming fluids are net used is that oxidization of the formaldehyde' to formic acid is hastened when an al- E'MBALMING FLUID Application filed September 20, 193th Serial No. 83,392.

kali is present to neutralize the acid as soon as it is formed.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an embalming fluid and a process for making the same whereby the formaldehyde solution is maintained in. separate bottles from said salt solutions and is only added to suchsolutions just before the fluid is actually used.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an alkaline embalming fluid to which may be added at the time of use a definite quantity of formaldehyde solution sufiicient to comply with certain States regulations. Since the solution to which the formaldehyde is added is alkaline, many powerful germicides may be added, such as, for ex ample, the sodium salts of tribrombetanaphthol, dichlorthymol, orthophenylphenol, as well as the diand tri-chlor and dian tri-brom orthophenylphenols.

This invention will be best understood froma consideration of the following detailed description; nevertheless, it is to be understood that the; invention is not confined to the disclosure, being susceptible of such changes and modifications which shall define no material departure from the salient features of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims. The body during life is always alkaline, at least during health, the hydrogen ion con centration (pH value) being normally 7 .4. This alkalinity constitutes one ofthe recognized defenses of the body against the germs of decomposition. These germs, as taken from dead human bodies, thrive best in a medium with a pH of from 6.8 to 5 or even 4.

If the medium is made alkaline to the extent of 7 .4 (the normal for the living body) the growth of these germs of decomposition is sharply retarded, and at an akalinity of 8.6 their growth practically ceases altogether. These facts show the furthenadvantage in using an alkaline embalming fluid. By

means of it the alkalinity of the body can be restored to that during life or even more so. This factalone would tend to prevent decomposition even thoughno further ger micides were employed.

Gilli Acid and formaldehyde containing fluids have a constricting effect upon the capillaries while alkalies and especially alkaline soap solutions have a relaxing efi'ect upon the capillaries and make possible a degree of in the solution about to be described it may be added to the embalming fluid just before the fluid is injected. The quantity of the formaldehyde added depends upon the amount determined by law in the several jurisdictions as well as the degree of hardening one desires to produce.

Glycerin and soap are thoroughly mixed with water and sodium nitrate, sodium oxalate and some Water soluble germicidal salt, such as the sodium salt of orthophenylphenol is added. These compounds are dissolved in the water, glycerin and soap by stirring. Since the compounds are soluble in a cold solution it is unnecessary to apply heat. To assist in the solution of a sodium salt of the germicide added, as much as four parts of sodium hydroxide (sticks) are added. After the fluid has been colored to suit, an excess of sodium chloride may be added but is not required.

The following formula gives approximate quantities contained in the embalming fluid:

Sodium hydroxide lparts Water parts Glycerin 20 parts Sodium nitrate 5 parts Liquid Green soap (U. S. P.) 4parts Sodium salt of orthophenylphenol- 10 parts Sodium oxalate 3 parts Color to suit 'aldehyde is varied to conform to the differentconditions that may. arise.

Instead of sodium salt of orthophenylphe- 1101 any one or more of the sodium salts of tri-brombetanaphthol, dichlorthymol, orthophenylphenol, as well as the diand tri-chlor and diand tri-brom orthophenylphenols may be employed. It will be appreciated that none of the compounds noted above may be used at all in an acid or even a neutral fluid. The alkaline fluid practically eliminates the hardening effect of the formaldehyde so that the body when thus treated will be nearly as flexible and yielding as during a s'ronas life. The rigidity of rigor mortis is entirely overcome by use of the alkaline fluid. By the use of such powerful germicides. the body may be actually sterilized and kept so. A sterile body in a sterile environment cannot decompose. Perfect sterilization is perfect embalming.

I claim:

1. An embalming fluid comprising an alkaline soap solution and a sodium salt of the type of sodium orthophenylphenate.

2. An embalming fluid comprising an alkaline soap solution, glycerin, sodium nitrate, sodium oxalate, a sodium salt of the type of sodium orthophenylphenate and water.

HILTON IRA JONES.