Executive Offices - Embalming Supply Company

AppliedEmbalming
problem was the “walling-off” effect and graying action. As chemical formulation developed, a new industry developed
out of need, an industry based on the scientific method, which became the foundation of the art and science of
embalming. Early practitioners searched for a method to recreate the dead human body to what they called a “lifelike”
form. Today we seek to create a natural, restful memory picture.
notes of general concern
Death brings about natural acidity to tissue and acidity has a tendency to cause cells/tissues to absorb moisture. Acidity
is what causes degrees of rigidity (rigor mortis). Formalin is a dehydrating agent, vapor phase causes fixation. Less than
1% dilution causes gelling, fixes protoplasm (bio chemical of cell), shrinks colloidal mesh, reacts to accessory buffer
chemicals to control formalin reactions. Formulated formalin creates rubbery firmness. Formalin is not fungicidal or
an insecticide. Formalin action increases with heat and decreases with cold. Formalin has a strong affinity for water.
Formaldehyde take-up is the rate proteins absorb and react to HCHO. A 10% concentration of HCHO diffuses into
the tissues faster than it hardens the protein. Beyond a 10% dilution, hardening is faster than the diffusion process.
Hardening of cross-linked tissue creates the “walling-off” effect. Surface embalming may be apparent but depth
preservation is lacking. Subjects tissue softening during decomposition from inadequate chemical preservation.
Practical application to body
The rate of take-up is fastest during and soon after injection (rate of HCHO take-up parallels with rate of firmness),
and decreases continually in 12 to 24 hours. The rate is faster at first because of the concentration of HCHO. As
HCHO content moves into the tissues, concentration decreases. As concentration decreases, take-up rate decreases.
Take-up depends on tissue disorganization of structures. Cold storage increases HCHO demand since rigor mortis
has a profound effect on HCHO demand. Breaking rigor mortis increases demand. Bending, flexing, rotating and
massaging increases HCHO demand. Use of Pre-injection fluid neutralizes acidity of rigor mortis. The greatest HCHO
demand is from viscera, muscle, skin and arterial walls.
additional general components of arterial chemicals
Preservatives, modifying agents/buffers, germicides, penetrating agents, blood solvents, anti-coagulants, sequestering
agents, coloring agents, perfuming agents, solvent or vehicles, humectants, and also a modifying agent. Each component
is broken down into a series of ingredients that, when carefully formulated and combined, create modern embalming
chemistry. Combinations of specific ingredients for the many specialized chemicals are available to the practitioner. All
ESCO Arterial injection formulations are formulated to be compatible when used in combination for special effects.
Preparation of the vascular system is essential to achieving the best results. Continuous research and thorough field
testing of every ESCO chemical formulation is assurance to quality control.
The following dilution chart represents dilution factors for Arterial fluids. To develop the following chart, the
index of the concentrated Arterial fluid, is divided into 128 ounces, which is the amount of ounces in a gallon of
solution:
• 20 (index) divided into 128 ounces = 6.4 ounces, therefore 6.4 = a 1% dilution factor
• 121.6 ounces of water, plus the 6.4 ounces of Arterial fluid = 128 ounces or a 1% solution
• 116.2 ounces of water, plus 12.8 ounces of Arterial fluid = 128 ounces or a 2% solution
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