DOI Heft:
Nr. 1
DOI Artikel:Ruffer, Marc Amand: Histological studies on egyptian mummies
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11327#0034
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On the whole, the facts are in accordance with theoretical considérations. In the
largest organ, the liver, the portai System lias almost wholly disappeared ; and though
the hepatic System shows less profound altérations, yet often enough, the large veins
are represented by a few shreds of tissue only (Plate VIII. Fig. 2 and 3).
The bloodvessels of the parenchyma of the lungs are very distinct. This is
probably due to the fact that the lungs do not putrefy as quickly as the abdominal organs
and that, owingto their loose spongy structure, the sait solution penetrated them rapidly
and the organs dried quickly afterwards.
The vascular System of the stomach and intestines is often well preserved. The
three coats of the arteries for instance are évident. Here the satisfactory resuit is probably
due to the thorough and rapid pénétration of the piekling solution, and the ulterior quick
desiccation of the thin tissues.
The vessels of the extremities, i. e. fingers, are most interesting ; the adventitia
and média are well nigh perfect, the intima alone showing signs of disintegration
(Plate VIL Fig. 4). Similarly the small bloodvessels of the testis, of nerves and
muscles are in excellent condition.
HEART.
In mummies of the XXI st dynasty the heart is always shrunk to an extraordinary
extent (Plate III. Fig. 2 and 3). The organ depicted here for instance, measures 5 Va cm.
in length, 4 cm. in breadth and 54/2 cm. in depth and weighs 36 grammes. It is obviously
torn or incised along both its anterior and posterior surfaces. The ventricles are very well
preserved, but the auricles with the origins of the larger veins are collapsed, and shrunk
and are invaginated into the ventricles. Prolonged desiccation and conséquent shrinking
have thrown ail the surface of the heart into deep wrinkles and the whole organ is as
dry as tinder, requiring very careful handling if it is to be kept intact. Fragments chip
off readily, and crumble to dust under very slight pressure.
Several attempts were made to restore such a mummified heart to its former
shape, by leaving it for some time in the softening solution. Apparently, ail the con-
nective tissues had disappeared during centuries of drying, for after a few hours the
muscular bundles fell apart. Thèse were of a pale yellow colour, and as transparent as
if they had been soaked in some clearing reagent such as xylol. A good deal of sand
which had obviously been contained in the heart and bloodvessels, dropped to the
bottom of the vessel. The tricuspid, mitral and aortic valves were intact and fairly tough,
though as thin as the flimsiest tissue paper.
As Prof. Elliot Smith pointed out, the heart was generally left in the body cavity
of mummies of the XXIst dynasty. In a mummy of the XVIII-XXth dynasties, however,
Mummies
of the XXIst
dynasty.
On the whole, the facts are in accordance with theoretical considérations. In the
largest organ, the liver, the portai System lias almost wholly disappeared ; and though
the hepatic System shows less profound altérations, yet often enough, the large veins
are represented by a few shreds of tissue only (Plate VIII. Fig. 2 and 3).
The bloodvessels of the parenchyma of the lungs are very distinct. This is
probably due to the fact that the lungs do not putrefy as quickly as the abdominal organs
and that, owingto their loose spongy structure, the sait solution penetrated them rapidly
and the organs dried quickly afterwards.
The vascular System of the stomach and intestines is often well preserved. The
three coats of the arteries for instance are évident. Here the satisfactory resuit is probably
due to the thorough and rapid pénétration of the piekling solution, and the ulterior quick
desiccation of the thin tissues.
The vessels of the extremities, i. e. fingers, are most interesting ; the adventitia
and média are well nigh perfect, the intima alone showing signs of disintegration
(Plate VIL Fig. 4). Similarly the small bloodvessels of the testis, of nerves and
muscles are in excellent condition.
HEART.
In mummies of the XXI st dynasty the heart is always shrunk to an extraordinary
extent (Plate III. Fig. 2 and 3). The organ depicted here for instance, measures 5 Va cm.
in length, 4 cm. in breadth and 54/2 cm. in depth and weighs 36 grammes. It is obviously
torn or incised along both its anterior and posterior surfaces. The ventricles are very well
preserved, but the auricles with the origins of the larger veins are collapsed, and shrunk
and are invaginated into the ventricles. Prolonged desiccation and conséquent shrinking
have thrown ail the surface of the heart into deep wrinkles and the whole organ is as
dry as tinder, requiring very careful handling if it is to be kept intact. Fragments chip
off readily, and crumble to dust under very slight pressure.
Several attempts were made to restore such a mummified heart to its former
shape, by leaving it for some time in the softening solution. Apparently, ail the con-
nective tissues had disappeared during centuries of drying, for after a few hours the
muscular bundles fell apart. Thèse were of a pale yellow colour, and as transparent as
if they had been soaked in some clearing reagent such as xylol. A good deal of sand
which had obviously been contained in the heart and bloodvessels, dropped to the
bottom of the vessel. The tricuspid, mitral and aortic valves were intact and fairly tough,
though as thin as the flimsiest tissue paper.
As Prof. Elliot Smith pointed out, the heart was generally left in the body cavity
of mummies of the XXIst dynasty. In a mummy of the XVIII-XXth dynasties, however,
Mummies
of the XXIst
dynasty.