Special Purpose Products

Special Purpose Chemicals

• Jaundice Fluids• High Index Fluids

called special purpose arterials

• Tissue Gas Chemicals• Autopsy Chemicals • others

High Index Fluids

• aka Extra Firming Fluids• OR sometimes called special purpose

arterials

• Intended for extreme (D) cases –decomposition –dropsy –drowning etc.

Tissue Gas Chemicals

• emphasis is on destroying bacteria

• may need assistance to stay in solution

Autopsy Chemicals

• solids• liquids• gels

Autopsy Chemicals

• Solids examples

Hardening compound V.

Autopsy powders

components• paraformaldehyde• aluminum chloride AlCl3

• alum KAl(SO4)2

• perlite• calcium carbonate CaCO3

• wood flour• plaster of Paris (CaSO4)2

• Liquids • Gel preparations

• Purpose?

Jaundice

Accessory Chemicals / Products

• Hardening Compound• Preservative Powders• Sealing compounds• Mold Preventive Agents• Pack Application - Cautery Chemicals• Miscellaneous

Preservative powders• highly germicidal in dry powdered form • preserve and disinfect largely by the

chemical fumes they liberate• contain no moisture absorbing fillers

Preservative powders

• not dehydrating• contain fungicidal agents to inhibit mold

growth• are more powerful disinfectants and

preservatives than autopsy compounds (no fillers)

Purpose:

• visceral preservation of autopsies• preservation of mutilated areas• gangrene• ulcers• cancers• burned bodies• floaters• infants

Examples??

• Paulex• San Veino

Sealing compounds

• adhesivescyanoacrylates

tube v. spray v. paint

• moisture absorbentsIncision seal powders

Cautery chemicals

• Cauterize• Chemically sear/burn to prevent

weeping/leakage

• Phenol is useful (component)

Cautery chemicals

Examples:• Dryene (Basic)• Cadisol• Searene• Nu-Leco

Mold Preventives?

• Why to use?

Examples: • Mold-X (separate product)

• Propylene glycol (component)

Miscellaneous

• Mortuary putty

• Creams– Moisturizers– Preservatives

HCHO donor products

• Used for fumeless• Need catalyst– Methlyene group released in contact w/ body

fluids• May be slower firming

Factors influencing stability of fluids (shelflife)

• temperature• time• methanol (methyl alcohol)• pH• light

Safety in Handling Embalming Chemicals

• Gloves• Eye protection (mask + shield)

• Protective clothing• Ventilation (& mask, if necessary)

• Clean up spills immediately use cold running H2Odilute spills

• Don’t use HCHO as antiseptic• MSDS• Rinse bottles before discarding• Cover machine & bottles• Pour concentrated fluid into tank last• Eliminate as much HCHO as possible before

using bleach

End