DOI article:
Smith, Grafton Elliot: A contribution to the study of mummification in Egypt: with special reference to the measures adopted during the time of the 21st dynasty for moulding the form of the body
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11325#0033
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incisions made around the heels at the junction of the plantar
with the posterior surface (figure 1, E ; Pl. XI, figure 3) : in an-
other case a small incision was made on the inner aspect o£ each
heel alongside the tendo Achilles. In addition to thèse openings
a deep cleft was almost invariably made between the great and
second toes (figures 1 and 2, i and Pl. XI, figure 2) and from it
the sole and in some cases the phalangeal région of the dorsum
pedis were stuffed with linen or mud (figure 2, 0).
The treatment of thèse various wounds varied considerably.
As a rule they are merely smeared with a resinous paste either
with or without the previous apposition of their edges ; in other
cases the openings are closed by a running suture of hempen
string (Pl. XI, figure 1 and Pl. VI, figure 2) ; and in some cases
oblong strips of linen are placed over the wounds and fixed by
means of a resinous paste. In one case a large ulcer on the dorsum
of the foot had been stuffed with butter such as is often found in
the mouth.
The Packing of the Arms.
The arms were almost invariably packed through an opening
which was made in the neighbourhood of the shoulder. (figures
1, 2 and 3, a). It may be at the top, alongside the acromion
process ; it may be lower down and as far back as the posterior
border of the deltoid or as far forward as its anterior border, or
even as far as the mid-point of the clavicle ; or it may be lower
still near the insertion of the deltoid. Its size, shape and direc-
tion are as variable as its position : it may be gaping or closed,
stitched, merely smeared with resinous paste, covered with a
patch of linen or plugged with a linen pad (Pl. XII, Pl. IV
Pl. XIII).
In most cases the arm and forearm (as far as the neighbourhood
of the wrist), the pectoral région, the axilla and a small area of
incisions made around the heels at the junction of the plantar
with the posterior surface (figure 1, E ; Pl. XI, figure 3) : in an-
other case a small incision was made on the inner aspect o£ each
heel alongside the tendo Achilles. In addition to thèse openings
a deep cleft was almost invariably made between the great and
second toes (figures 1 and 2, i and Pl. XI, figure 2) and from it
the sole and in some cases the phalangeal région of the dorsum
pedis were stuffed with linen or mud (figure 2, 0).
The treatment of thèse various wounds varied considerably.
As a rule they are merely smeared with a resinous paste either
with or without the previous apposition of their edges ; in other
cases the openings are closed by a running suture of hempen
string (Pl. XI, figure 1 and Pl. VI, figure 2) ; and in some cases
oblong strips of linen are placed over the wounds and fixed by
means of a resinous paste. In one case a large ulcer on the dorsum
of the foot had been stuffed with butter such as is often found in
the mouth.
The Packing of the Arms.
The arms were almost invariably packed through an opening
which was made in the neighbourhood of the shoulder. (figures
1, 2 and 3, a). It may be at the top, alongside the acromion
process ; it may be lower down and as far back as the posterior
border of the deltoid or as far forward as its anterior border, or
even as far as the mid-point of the clavicle ; or it may be lower
still near the insertion of the deltoid. Its size, shape and direc-
tion are as variable as its position : it may be gaping or closed,
stitched, merely smeared with resinous paste, covered with a
patch of linen or plugged with a linen pad (Pl. XII, Pl. IV
Pl. XIII).
In most cases the arm and forearm (as far as the neighbourhood
of the wrist), the pectoral région, the axilla and a small area of