Monday, 27 July 2020

LINCOLN IN THE BARDO ( GEORGE SAUNDERS) AND THE CONSERVATION OF CADAVERS BY THE METHOD OF ZINC CHLORIDE

Sagnet had pioneered the innovative use of zinc chloride.
Five quarts of a 20 percent solution of zinc chloride injected through the popliteal artery not only preserved a body for a minimum of two years, but also wrought a wondrous transformation, giving the body the
Extravagant claims were made of the Sagnet process, stating that the remains became a “shell in effigy; a sculpture.”



In effect, the antiseptic characteristics have been used to embalm and recompose cadavers throughout time, especially in the XIXth century. With this method, the facial features were restored in case of violent death. So, it was bound to be very used in funerals with militar honours.

I´m not quite sure that this Sagnet really exists, because this book is as interesting as weird.

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