Practitioner’s Natural Defenses against Disease (Continued)

PHYSIOLOGICAL

  Coughing and sneezing – These are actions that tend to remove foreign objects and other irritating substances from the digestive and respiratory systems.

  Closing of the glottis - This covers the trachea to prevent entry of food during life. At death the glottis falls posterior covering the esophagus opening thus allowing the practitioner to pour two or three ounces of disinfectant down the trachea into the bronchi network. The purpose is to control possible expulsion of microbial infectious agents during handling prior to the actual preparation procedure.

  Blinking of the eyes –Blinking is a reflex action that keeps the eyes free of irritants After death, the natural defense lubricant ceases to function and the eyes can become a source of microbial growth.

BIOLOGICAL DEFENSES

  These are the actions during life which tend to reduce the susceptibility of the body to disease processes. An example is Phagocytosis which is the ingestion of bacterial or other foreign agents by leukocytes (white blood cells).

FEVER

  Fever is an abnormal rise in body temperature. Microbes exist and reproduce best at 98.6F as does the normal functional human body. Elevation of temperature is a defense process that stops microbial reproduction. M Fever is also known as pyrexia. Long periods of fever is associated with specific/various diseases cause dehydration which can be a major concern following death.

AEROSOL TRANSMISSION

  Transmission of respiratory diseases is a major risk to removal service personnel, embalmers, cosmetician/hairdresser and the family if the body is not properly disinfected. Individuals viewing the body could be at risk. Proper care is the responsibility of the practitioner.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

  These hazards may exit the body in many ways. These exit points include orifices, draining from lesions associated with specific diseases, intestinal waste by way of diarrhea, urine and body fluids which contain opportunistic blood borne microorganisms. Once any material leaves its host, it may be ingested from contaminated food or water. PPE is essential if there is direct contact with the body or contaminated equipment.

IMMEDIATE CAUSES

  These are the causes which are directly responsible for the manifestation of specific microbial conditions associated with diseases of traumatic deaths. Motor vehicle accidents are a major concern. When an autopsy is conducted, it adds to the release of intestinal flora containing opportunistic clostridia into the tissue. The possibility of tissue gas is of concern due to its rapid movement throughout the embalmed body. An example is clostridia perfringens which is contained within the intestinal tract during life and controlled by natural defenses of the body.

  The most important asset a practitioner can have is the ability to assimilate information and put it into practical use. THE KEY WORD IS – THINK. Treat each body as a potential hazard and do not develop a cavalier attitude with regard to safety.

  Part 13 will deal with potential common disease processes and how the embalmer and all staff members can, in the course of their daily work, protect themselves, their colleagues and their families to prevent the spread of disease.