- Thomas Holmes
Dr. Thomas Holmes (1817-1899) was a
mortician who is often thought of as the "father of American embalming".Childhood
He was born in
New York City in 1817 to a wealthy merchant. During his childhood he became interested in the medical profession, and (although records from the time are vague and incomplete) is believed to have graduated from theCollege of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in 1845. His name appears variously in several New York City directories under listings as aPhysician andSurgeon from 1847 onwards.Academics
While at university, Holmes had become concerned with methods of preservation used on
cadavers for anatomical study. He complained that preservation was either improperly rendered, ineffectual, or not attempted at all. He also thought that the preservatives used at the time (arsenic -, mercury-, andzinc -based compounds) were injurious to the health of the medical students performingdissection s. Later, whilst studying under aphrenologist , he had the opportunity to examine the heads of a number of Egyptianmummies , and concluded thatembalming could be achieved without the use of hazardous compounds.Experimentation
Immediately prior to the
American Civil War , Holmes experimented witharterial embalming based on the earlier work ofMons. Gannal ofParis . Through this experimentation, he developed anarterial solution, which went on to be manufactured commercially and was sold for $3.00 pergallon , and injection apparatus.Practice
During the Civil War, Dr. Holmes embalmed Union soldiers and officers as a means of preservation so that the remains could be shipped back to their families. He personally claimed to have embalmed, "4028 soldiers and officers, field and staff", although some believe this figure to be inflated.
References
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