From Thenard's Chemistry, vol. iii. Paris ed. p. 713.
The author declines describing the methods of embalming commonly employed, and proceeds to describe the mode which was for the first time employed by Dr. Chaussier.
"This process consists in placing the dead body thoroughly emptied and washed, in water kept constantly saturated with corrosive sublimate. This salt gradually combines with the flesh, gives it firmness, renders it imputrescible, and incapable of being attacked by insects and worms.
"I have seen, (adds the author) a head thus prepared, which had been exposed alternately to the sun and rain during several years, without having suffered the slightest change. It was very little deformed, and easily recognized, although the flesh had become as hard as wood."
6. Matches kindling without fire.
(From Thenard's Chemistry, Vol. ii. p. 525.)
This match is prepared by mingling two parts of the oxymuriate of potash and one of sulphur, which by means of a little gum is attached to a common sulphur match. This match on being dipped into, or rather slightly wet with, strong sulphuric acid, (oil of vitriol) immediately catches fire.
The author has not added the caution that the sulphur and salt should be pulverized separately; if rubbed together in a mortar, they will explode with some danger to the operator, provided the quantity be over a few grains.
Matches made upon this principle, have been for some time made and sold in this country. They are sometimes put up in little japanned cases with a small phial, from which when inverted with the mouth open, nothing will drop, and yet the match kindles on being thrust in quite to the bottom. The truth is, these bottles contain a little amianthus moistened with sulphuric acid, which thus kindles the match, but as the acid soon weakens by attracting water from the air, it is better to use a phial of the acid in the liquid state. A few drops answer the purpose, and when this is weakened, it is easily renewed.