03:59 PM
Sunday 11 September 2022
I wrote – Yasmine El-Sawy:
Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96, and the United Kingdom declared a state of mourning for 10 days, provided that the body would be preserved throughout that period until the end of the royal ceremonies, so how is the preservation process?
The process of preserving the body for a short period of time is known as “temporary embalming”, and a group of techniques is used in this, all of which depend on the introduction of specific chemicals into the body of the deceased to preserve it temporarily and prevent it from decomposing and leaving unpleasant odors from it and the accumulation of bacteria and microorganisms on it, according to the Detailed research published by “Research gate”.
Embalming by injecting arteries and blood vessels
A set of chemicals used in embalming are injected into the blood vessels through the original carotid artery, one of the body’s main arteries.
In this process, specialists use a special embalming device that introduces these materials into the blood vessels, and at the same time, the body of the deceased is massaged to ensure the distribution of embalming fluids in the body.
In the event of poor blood circulation, other methods of injection are used and the introduction of these chemicals into the body.
Mummification through body cavities
In this process, all internal fluids in the body are suctioned and chemicals for embalming are injected through the body cavities using specialized suction and injection devices.
Embalming by subcutaneous injection
Specialists in this process rely on injecting chemicals for embalming under the skin, as needed.
Embalming through the surface of the skin
Specialists inject these chemicals through the places where there are visible injuries and scratches on the surface of the skin.
Read also: Queen Elizabeth II dies at the age of 96
Chemicals used in preserving the body
1- preservatives
These substances play an important role in stopping the activity of saprophytes, and also change the enzymes in the body to prevent it from decomposing. These preservatives consist of formalin, glutaraldehyde and phenol.
2- Bactericidal
It is a group of chemicals that kill microorganisms that can accumulate on the body, and it contains glutaraldehyde and ammonium compounds.
3- Modification materials
These materials contain moisturizers, inorganic salts and solutions, so that they all work to preserve the body for as long as possible.
4- Inorganic salts
Inorganic salts enhance the efficiency and quality of the embalming process.
5- Anti-liquidity
Anticoagulants are made of sodium oxalate, sodium citrate, and EDTA salts, which delay the normal process by which blood becomes more viscous.
6- Pigments
These dyes add a certain color to the body during the embalming process.
7- Aromatic substances
Aromatic substances contribute to reducing rotting or the appearance of unpleasant odors in the corpse, and it consists of sassafras oil, clove oil and benzaldehyde.
8- Other materials
A group of chemicals is used that reduce the molecular cohesion of fluids in the body, so that they can flow through smaller openings, to facilitate the suction of fluids.