- 7 - 
optic nerves were visible; unfortunately their microscopical structure was greatly 
altered by an enormous growth of moulds . 
Dr. Fouquet states that some of tlie tissues and bandages which touched the Blood reaction 
bodies were examined by Prof. Lacassagne and that he obtained the characteristic bandages. 
reaction of haemoglobin. On the other hand, Prof. Elliot Smith writes: «No one has a 
greater knowledge of all the most modern tests, chemical and biological, for blood-stains, 
nor a better acquaintance with those methods in medico-legal practice than my col- 
league Prof. Schmidt of the Cairo School of Medicine. Dr. Schmidt has examined large 
numbers of pieces of stained cloth and pieces of highly vascular tissues from a large 
series of mummies ; he tells me that he has been utterly unable to recognise the presence 
of haemoglobin, although the tests in use now are immeasurably more delicate and sure 
than those used 10 years ago. All the reddish stains on linen were found to be due 
to resin. » 
I can only agree with Prof. Elliot Smith and Prof. Schmidt. I have repeatedly 
tried to get blood reactions from tissues of mummies, but always unsuccessfully. 
Although I have examined many hundred specimens, I have never demonstrated un- 
doubted red-blood corpuscles. In one case only, did I see some brownish bodies which 
certainly resembled red blood corpuscles, but I could not identify even them with 
certainty. 
METHODS OF PRESERVING THE DEAD. 
We may now give a general account of the treatment to which the body cavities 
and the viscera were subjected after death. 
I shall limit myself almost wholly to the method of embalming which was used 
during the XXIst dynasty, and hence, I cannot do better than follow closely the account 
given by Prof. Elliot Smith. 
The price having been agreed upon, the embalmers took charge of the body, XXIst dynasty. 
and,' as the process is supposed to have taken at least 72 days to carry out, the body 
was probably carried to some special laboratory fitted for the purpose. 
Considering the delay which must have ensued while the bargain was made and 
the body carried to the laboratory, it is not improbable that, in the majority of cases, 
several hours elapsed from the time of death to that of the first incision. 
The embalming incision usually caused a large, vertical, fusiform, gaping wound 
in the left lumbar region, extending from the ihac crest, about 2 to 3 cms. behind the 
anterior superior iliac spine, to the costal margin. 
It may be further forward, or extend lower down in front of the iliac spine. As a 
rule, no attempt was made to close the wound, which was then covered with a plate. 
Incision made 
by embalmers. 
