A treatise on the chemical, medicinal, and physiological properties of creosote : illustrated by experiments on the lower animals: with some considerations on the embalment of the Egyptians. Being the Harveian prize dissertation for 1836 / by John Rose Cormack.

Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on the chemical, medicinal, and physiological properties of creosote : illustrated by experiments on the lower animals: with some considerations on the embalment of the Egyptians. Being the Harveian prize dissertation for 1836 / by John Rose Cormack. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    been introduced into this country, it has been sub- stituted for the peat-oil, and is at present extensive- ly used for this purpose, both by dealers and in some private families, as I have occasion to know. The knowledge of these circumstances led me some time ago to undertake some experiments, with a view of discovering the best method of obtaining creosote from peat-tar, and I regret that I am as yet unable to give the result, but it may be safely stated, that it is peculiarly rich in this substance. Birds poisoned with creosote resist putrefaction for a great length of time, and the bodies of ani- mals may be mummified so as to keep in a sound state for an indefinite period, by immersing them in a solution of creosote in water, or by injecting a mixture containing creosote into the blood-vessels, and the embalmment may be rendered more com- plete, by filling the cavities of the cranium, thorax, and abdomen with the same solution. There can be little, if any doubt, that bodies preserved in this way would resist the destroying effects of time as effectually as the most ancient of the Egyptian mummies have done. I have in my possession the lungs of a dog which I poisoned with creosote three months ago, and they are as fresh at this moment as when cut out of the body, and still exhale a strong odour of the substance. Since the discovery of creo- sote, it has been justly considered the antiseptic prin- c