Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXI
Written by Ioana DUMITRU, Cristian DEZDROBITU, Irina IRIMESCU, Cristian MARTONOS, Bianca MATOSZ, Florin SILAGHI, Aurel DAMIAN
Some of the preservation techniques of human and animal cadavers have been known since antiquity, starting with the simplest ones, such as preservation by freezing, or with simple mummification, up to mummification by arterial injecting or by immersion. Their execution necessitates the usage of several combinations of substances with a single active component, such as: preservatives, to maintain tissue structure; disinfectants, to halt decay; moistening agents and coloring agents. The aim of this research was to obtain a cat mummy by means of an improved technique. The materials used were: one cat cadaver, dissection instruments, 7% and 15% formaldehyde solutions, technical grade glycerin and coloring agents. The mummification process consisted of injecting the cat body with the 7% formaldehyde solution, fitting it up on a mount and letting it fixate for 5 days, injecting it with the 15% formaldehyde solution, followed by another fixation interval of 10 days. Subsequently, we have removed the skin and the subcutaneous conjunctive tissue, underlining the musculature. The body was once again mounted and frozen for 14 days to dehydrate. It was then maintained at room temperature, followed by the application of the technical grade glycerin and of the coloring agents. The piece was then kept on the mount to dry until the completion of the mummification process. We conclude that this technique is successful at maintaining the anatomical characteristics of the body.
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