Table of Contents

PART I. THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF EMBALMINGSECTION I1. Embalming: Social, Psychological, Ethical and Regulatory Considerations2. Fundamentals of Embalming3. Personal , Public Health and Regulatory Considerations4. Technical Orientation of Embalming5. Death—Agonal and Preembalming Changes6. Embalming Chemicals7. Use of Embalming Chemicals8. Anatomical Considerations9. Embalming Vessel Sites and Selections10. Embalming Analysis11. Preparation of the Body Prior to Arterial Injection12. Distribution and Diffusion of Arterial Solution13. Injection and Drainage Techniques14. Cavity Embalming15. Preparation of the Body After Arterial Injection16. General Body Considerations17. Preparation of Autopsied Bodies18. Preparation of Organ and Tissue Donors19. Delayed Embalming20. Discolorations21. Moisture Considerations22. Vascular Considerations23. Effect of Drugs on the Embalming Process24. Selected Conditions25. Embalming for Delayed Viewing, Reembalming of the Body, Embalming for Shipping.SECTION II. THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF EMBALMINGEdward C. Johnson, Gail R. Johnson, and Melissa JohnsonPART II. RESTORATIVE ART AND MORTUARY COSMETOLOGYSECTION I. RESTORATIVE ARTSECTION II. MORTUARY COSMETOLOGY C. Richard SandersSection III. History of Modern Restorative ArtEdward C. Johnson, Gail R. Johnson, and Melissa J. WilliamsPART III. GLOSSARY AND SELECTED READINGSSECTION I. GLOSSARYPrepared by the Embalming and Restorative Art Course Content Committees of the American Board of Funeral Service EducationSECTION II. SELECTED READINGSSummary of Guidelines Submitted to OSHA from the National Funeral Directors Association Committee on Infectious DiseaseArmed Services Specification for Mortuary Services (Care of Remains of Deceased Personnel and Regular and Port of Entry Requirements for Caskets and Shipping Cases)Identification: An Essential Part of What We Do.The Mathematics of Embalming Chemistry: Part I. A Critical Evaluation of “One-Bottle” Embalming Chemical ClaimsThe Measurement of Formaldehyde Retention in the Tissues of Embalmed BodiesThe Two Year Fix: Long-Term Preservation for Delayed ViewingOccupational Exposure to Formaldehyde in MortuariesFormaldehyde Vapor Emission Study in Embalming RoomsReported Studies on Effects of Formaldehyde ExposureThe Preparation Room: VentilationFinal Report on Literature Search on the Infectious Nature of Dead Bodies for the Embalming Chemical Manufacturers AssociationDangers of InfectionCreutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Hepatitis from A to GThe Increase in MRSA and VRE.The Antimicrobial Activity of Embalming Chemicals and Topical Disinfectants on the Microbial Flora of Human RemainsThe Microbiologic Evaluation and Enumeration of Postmortem Specimens from Human RemainsRecommendations for Prevention of HIV Transmission in Health-Care SettingsCan Magnesium Sulfate Be Safely Used to Rid the Body of Fluid in the Lower Extremities?Major Body Elevation as a Technique for the Reduction of Swelling in the Faces and Hands of Embalmed Bodies Management Techniques for the EyesEnhance Emaciated Features Arterially Using Split Injection and Restricted Drainage

About the Author

Robert G. Mayer is Adjunct Professor at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

Embalming: History, Theory and Practice A review of the latest edition of Robert Mayer's definitive work. After graduating from mortuary college, students start a training program, usually called an "apprenticeship," and are often told by their embalming mentor to forget everything they have learned in school because he or she will teach them how to embalm. For many of these new funeral directors, this is the extent of their post-graduate education in embalming. The latest (fourth) edition of Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice, written by Robert Mayer and published by McGraw-Hill Medical, is not only an excellent textbook for students, but can also prove a valuable addition to any funeral director's professional library. Reading this book for the first time, or re-reading it after graduation, can prove as worthwhile as attending an advanced embalming seminar. My advice to every embalmer is to get a copy of this book and read it with the attitude of "What can I learn if I used an earlier edition of this book in mortuary school?" or "What new information can I discover that will help me improve my present level of embalming knowledge?" When you read Mayer's book, you will probably have a similar experience to me because you will learn a great deal. If your mind is open, you will be amazed at how much more there is to embalming than what you currently know or do, especially if you have fallen into the routine of using the same fluids and techniques for all your cases. One of the differences used to distinguish "technicians" from "professionals" is that the latter possess a greater depth of knowledge about their chosen specialty. Mayer's book can give you that greater depth of embalming knowledge about topics such as pre-embalming analysis; what happens with cells and tissues when they come in contact with pre-injection and arterial fluids; different methods of treating organ and tissue donors; the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of injection and drainage; and embalming for delayed viewing. This book also provides a very good section on restorative art. What I like about this section is the step-by-step instructions for performing deep-cavity restorations and treating discoloration of skin conditions, tissue building, treating swelling, and suggestions for the application of cosmetics. Also included in Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice are brief but interesting chapters on the history of embalming and restorative art. Although these chapters will not improve your embalming, they can prove useful as you prepare a public talk on the history of our profession. Based upon my experience, I have found that the public enjoys talks that include the more interesting aspects of our history. The final chapter offers a compilation of 23 selected readings on different aspects of embalming, in which Mayer brings in professionals other than himself to discuss topics that are relevant and interesting to current practitioners. Finally, I wish to mention that I found Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice easy to read. Mayer has done an excellent job of using graphs, photos, bullet points, shaded summaries and diagrams to clarify the main points as he explains them. Ralph L. Klicker, Ph.D., is the president of Thanos Institute in New York. The Director 20060701