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Chapter 4Chapter 4• Medical Embalmers and the Rise of
English Undertakers• Medical Embalmers and the Rise of
English Undertakers
Embalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical ScienceEmbalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical Science• No unbroken line from Egyptians all the
way forward.• Only in embalming can we see
continuity.• We will now start to see the English
Tradesman Undertaker forming.
• No unbroken line from Egyptians all the way forward.
• Only in embalming can we see continuity.
• We will now start to see the English Tradesman Undertaker forming.
Embalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical ScienceEmbalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical Science• 15th century brought a renewed
interest in the preservation by professionals because of decomposition.
• 15th century brought a renewed interest in the preservation by professionals because of decomposition.
Embalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical ScienceEmbalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical Science• The features of Pierre of Lexumburg
was touched up by paint.
• A heretic preacher who died in prison was preserved in quicklime to preserve him to be burned in public with a heretic woman
• The features of Pierre of Lexumburg was touched up by paint.
• A heretic preacher who died in prison was preserved in quicklime to preserve him to be burned in public with a heretic woman
Embalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical ScienceEmbalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical Science
• A demand for better preservation was seconded by Leonardo DaVinci
• Leonardo DaVinci - 1452-1519
• He drew over 750 Anatomical Plates
• He dissected over 50 cadavers
• A demand for better preservation was seconded by Leonardo DaVinci
• Leonardo DaVinci - 1452-1519
• He drew over 750 Anatomical Plates
• He dissected over 50 cadavers
Embalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical ScienceEmbalming Enhanced the Growth of Medical Science
• He developed a system of venous injection which inspired others later.
• Unknown whether he injected any of the cadavers, but his anticipation showed his anatomical and physiological genius.
• He developed a system of venous injection which inspired others later.
• Unknown whether he injected any of the cadavers, but his anticipation showed his anatomical and physiological genius.
• By the 15th century most of the modern principals of embalming were in use by medical practitioners.
• The 17th century brought the discovery of blood circulation.
• By the 15th century most of the modern principals of embalming were in use by medical practitioners.
• The 17th century brought the discovery of blood circulation.
• 17th century Florentine physician, Girolamo Segato-Turned a body into stone by injecting tissues with a solution of sillicate and potash and then immersing it in a weak acid solution.
• (a lot of experimenting happening)
• 17th century Florentine physician, Girolamo Segato-Turned a body into stone by injecting tissues with a solution of sillicate and potash and then immersing it in a weak acid solution.
• (a lot of experimenting happening)
• Because of the experimenting ~
• The 17th century saw the possibility of injection embalming
• It was still kept a secret though.
• Because of the experimenting ~
• The 17th century saw the possibility of injection embalming
• It was still kept a secret though.
• Frederick R. Ruysch (1638-1731) • He was a Dutch Professor• While searching for means to preserve
anatomical specimens.• He was the first to arterially embalm, BUT
he did not divulge to his class how he did it.
• Frederick R. Ruysch (1638-1731) • He was a Dutch Professor• While searching for means to preserve
anatomical specimens.• He was the first to arterially embalm, BUT
he did not divulge to his class how he did it.
• Gabriel Clauderus
• A German Physician
• He was the first to publish how to arterially embalm in a book called-
“Methodus Balsamundi Corpora Humani, Aliaque Majora Sine Eviceratione.”
• Gabriel Clauderus
• A German Physician
• He was the first to publish how to arterially embalm in a book called-
“Methodus Balsamundi Corpora Humani, Aliaque Majora Sine Eviceratione.”
• William Harvey 1578-1657• He was a physician and anatomist.• He discovered the circulation of blood
in 1618 by injecting a colored dye in to the body of a cadaver he was working with.
• William Harvey 1578-1657• He was a physician and anatomist.• He discovered the circulation of blood
in 1618 by injecting a colored dye in to the body of a cadaver he was working with.
• Dr. William Hunter (1718-1783)
• The brave Scottsman!!!!!
• He was a Scottish anatomist.
• First to publish the directions for the use of arterial and cavity embalming for preservation of the body, not only for lab use but for burial also.
• Dr. William Hunter (1718-1783)
• The brave Scottsman!!!!!
• He was a Scottish anatomist.
• First to publish the directions for the use of arterial and cavity embalming for preservation of the body, not only for lab use but for burial also.
• He is considered the originator of the injection technique because he was the first to report fully and openly the fluid and method to be used.
• He is considered the originator of the injection method of embalming.
• He is considered the originator of the injection technique because he was the first to report fully and openly the fluid and method to be used.
• He is considered the originator of the injection method of embalming.
• John Hunter(William’s brother) in 1775 embalmed the body of the wife of Martin Van Butchell, a London quack.
• Used oils of turpentine, camphorated spirits of wine for arterial injection and camphor for cavity embalming.
• John Hunter(William’s brother) in 1775 embalmed the body of the wife of Martin Van Butchell, a London quack.
• Used oils of turpentine, camphorated spirits of wine for arterial injection and camphor for cavity embalming.
• Butchell kept his wife on display, dressed in her best clothes in a glass lidded case in his sitting room of his house and introduced her as “The Dearly Departed” to guests that visited.
• Butchell kept his wife on display, dressed in her best clothes in a glass lidded case in his sitting room of his house and introduced her as “The Dearly Departed” to guests that visited.
• Curious seekers besieged his home to see.
• Van Butchell later remarried and his second wife objected to his “EX” in the parlor and she removed it to the Royal College of Surgeons in London.
• Curious seekers besieged his home to see.
• Van Butchell later remarried and his second wife objected to his “EX” in the parlor and she removed it to the Royal College of Surgeons in London.
• The 1800’s brought physicians, surgeons and anatomists experimenting with new embalming processes.
• Chemists were also now developing new with which to use.
• Frenchman, Jean Nicholas Gannal wrote: the History of Embalming.
• The 1800’s brought physicians, surgeons and anatomists experimenting with new embalming processes.
• Chemists were also now developing new with which to use.
• Frenchman, Jean Nicholas Gannal wrote: the History of Embalming.
Barber-SurgeonsBarber-Surgeons• Practice of blood-letting• Reduce the amount of blood in their
patients…..interesting cure.• Monks had the top of their heads shaved (Fryer
Tuck) because of the frequency of the bloodletting~
• Sometimes 5 times a year
• Practice of blood-letting• Reduce the amount of blood in their
patients…..interesting cure.• Monks had the top of their heads shaved (Fryer
Tuck) because of the frequency of the bloodletting~
• Sometimes 5 times a year
Barber-SurgeonsBarber-Surgeons• Because the church wanted monks to
pay more attention to the soul than the body, and the church abhorred the shedding of blood~
• Blood Barbers took over the practice.
• Because the church wanted monks to pay more attention to the soul than the body, and the church abhorred the shedding of blood~
• Blood Barbers took over the practice.
Barber-SurgeonsBarber-Surgeons• This led to Barber Surgeons• Blood Barbers (Barber Surgeons) Obtained
a formal decree stating that they alone possessed the right to open, sear and embalm the corpse. (17th century)
• Embalming was a subordinate skill. Pg. 100
• This led to Barber Surgeons• Blood Barbers (Barber Surgeons) Obtained
a formal decree stating that they alone possessed the right to open, sear and embalm the corpse. (17th century)
• Embalming was a subordinate skill. Pg. 100
“Embalm”“Embalm”• As an English word is was of the 14th century.• First use is in 1340 “they…..with oymements
the body embawnyd…”• French word “enbaume”• Greek word “balsomon”• To preserve with balsamic resin or aromatic oil.
• As an English word is was of the 14th century.• First use is in 1340 “they…..with oymements
the body embawnyd…”• French word “enbaume”• Greek word “balsomon”• To preserve with balsamic resin or aromatic oil.
Introduction of Funeral Undertaker
Introduction of Funeral Undertaker
• “Undertaker” first appeared as early as 1400’s.
• Function-undertook to provide some of the funerary paraphernalia.
• Limitations-They were embalmers, not directors.
• “Undertaker” first appeared as early as 1400’s.
• Function-undertook to provide some of the funerary paraphernalia.
• Limitations-They were embalmers, not directors.
Introduction of Funeral Undertaker
Introduction of Funeral Undertaker
• Their service were probably not available to the ordinary folk.
• Church controlled all aspects of funeral and burial up to this point, all except the “lychweake” or death watch
• Their service were probably not available to the ordinary folk.
• Church controlled all aspects of funeral and burial up to this point, all except the “lychweake” or death watch
Feudal FuneralsFeudal Funerals• Peak of heraldry and pomp.• Yards upon yards of black drapery for the
chief rooms and the staircase.• Elaborate black mourning bed.• Funeral carriages.• A velvet pall.
• Peak of heraldry and pomp.• Yards upon yards of black drapery for the
chief rooms and the staircase.• Elaborate black mourning bed.• Funeral carriages.• A velvet pall.
Feudal FuneralsFeudal Funerals
• Purchase of the funeral goods was enormously expensive and was a drain of ones estate.
• Purchase of the funeral goods was enormously expensive and was a drain of ones estate.
Coffins and Funeral GoodsCoffins and Funeral Goods
• Introduction of MANY craftsman into funeral undertaking.
• Upholsterers and Drapers sidelined on furnishing funerary goods such as velvet palls, mourning cloaks and black hangings for rooms.
• Introduction of MANY craftsman into funeral undertaking.
• Upholsterers and Drapers sidelined on furnishing funerary goods such as velvet palls, mourning cloaks and black hangings for rooms.
• Coffins were made by carpenters, cabinet-makers because they already possessed the skills.
• They found themselves drawn to the new vaguely defined occupation of undertaking.
• Coffins were made by carpenters, cabinet-makers because they already possessed the skills.
• They found themselves drawn to the new vaguely defined occupation of undertaking.
• Craftsmen started to advertise with handbills and cards that were in a language sometimes quaint, sometimes amusing, but always revealing…..
Pg. 105
• Craftsmen started to advertise with handbills and cards that were in a language sometimes quaint, sometimes amusing, but always revealing…..
Pg. 105
• Advertising emphasized two points:– Wide range of funerary goods– Protection of the corpse
• Advertising emphasized two points:– Wide range of funerary goods– Protection of the corpse
• The undertaker’s favorite insignia was the coffin, usually hanging vertically and often inscribed or decorated with skeletons, skulls, crossbones or other grim emblems.
• The undertaker’s favorite insignia was the coffin, usually hanging vertically and often inscribed or decorated with skeletons, skulls, crossbones or other grim emblems.
ClergyClergy
• The relationship between the clergy and the funeral undertaker was not good because they thought things were too elaborate.
• The relationship between the clergy and the funeral undertaker was not good because they thought things were too elaborate.
Burial and Sanitary ReformBurial and Sanitary Reform
• Edwin Chadwick and the Poor Law Commissioners.
• They investigated the sanitary conditions in 1842 of the laboring population of Great Britain.
• Edwin Chadwick and the Poor Law Commissioners.
• They investigated the sanitary conditions in 1842 of the laboring population of Great Britain.
Influence of Chadwick’s Report on Intramural Interments and
Burials
Influence of Chadwick’s Report on Intramural Interments and
Burials• Wanted all cemeteries municipalized.• To prevent child murder for insurance
he recommended that a medical officer should be required to certify before burial the cause of death.
• Wanted all cemeteries municipalized.• To prevent child murder for insurance
he recommended that a medical officer should be required to certify before burial the cause of death.
• It took 5 years for these recommendations to be incorporated. (1848)
• He made charges against the undertakers because even though there was intense competition for the bodies, the prices were outrageous.
• It took 5 years for these recommendations to be incorporated. (1848)
• He made charges against the undertakers because even though there was intense competition for the bodies, the prices were outrageous.
• Over 200 burial clubs formed in London as a result to help families pay for the funerals.
• Over 200 burial clubs formed in London as a result to help families pay for the funerals.
