*Embalmers' Anatomical Aid: A Manikin of Superimposed Diagramatic Plates
Showing thoroughly the anatomy of the system and paying particular attention to blood-circulation. Designed to assist in embalming operations, reference and demonstration.
Chicago & New York: Western Publishing House, (1888-1889). Title page lists copyright dates from 1884-1888; Patents dated 1886, “and other patents applied for.” Cover label updates latest patent to January 15, 1889.
Publisher's dark green pebbled cloth portfolio, 22 x 15.25 inches. Bound with two interior boards and tabs for folding an easel display, with additional half-length overlapping flap for closure; label "Directions for opening the manikin" mounted inside flap; upper part of the clasp is lodged in the lower, but the easel can stay erect without the clasps. Heavy rubbing to extremities, exposing boards at the corners; joint of the wraparound cover flap splitting along the left edge and heavily soiled; with dampstaining to that edge and two circular areas on the bottom board. Light fingersoil and wear from the pressure points of the metal clasps and tabs. The acetate layer of the eye is punctured, and outer flap of the female pelvic manikin and the overlay of the torso have creasing, but the lithographs and mechanical flaps are overall very well-preserved. Despite the exterior wear, it’s a functional, sturdy example of the rare large-format manikin.
Among the plates is an "Index of the Nerves, Veins, Arteries & Muscles," that identifies "Points of Injection” for embalmers; but this aid is clearly for more than embalming. The manikin was to be accompanied by the textbook by Dr. H. E. Lewis, Embalmers' Guide: A practical and comprehensive treatise on embalming, together with a complete description of the anatomy of the human body, designed to accompany The Embalmers' Anatomical Aid (available digitally). Though later replaced with guides attributed only to Graham, even this earlier version of the text discusses elements of women's health, including the function of the clitoris, that would be too late to worry about post-mortem.
The omission of any reference to the female particulars raises the question of surreptitious packaging, whether related to the taboo or an effort to avoid running afoul of Comstock anti-obscenity laws. Each of the “leaves” is sewn in a way that variations would not have been hard to accommodate during binding.
No ads for the Embalmers’ Aid could be located, but Western Publishing House ran ads for its Physicians' Anatomical Aid with varying levels of detail about the obstetric content, but the “New and Superb” manikin of “Pelvic and Genital Anatomy,” as seen in this Embalmers’ version is most explicitly described in the 1898 Homoeopathic Annual, promising “the details of structure of those organs upon whose unhealthy or abnormal condition so much of the physical misery of humanity hangs" (20). The ad identifies each layer: Exterior virgin structure; Early symptoms of pregnancy; Associated muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and glands; Vagina; Womb and its support (enfolded in peritoneum); Ovaries, Fallopian tubes, etc.; Vertical Section of all these organs; Pregnancy after about six weeks; After three months; After five months, when organization is practically complete; Pelvic receptacle back of generative organs.
Sequence:
[lower cover] 1. "The Body." Male torso with printed oilcloth overlay and 10 flaps of the internal organs nested into cover;
Canvas-backed lithographs, recto-only leaves:
2. "Index of the Nerves, Veins, Arteries & Muscles," identifying "Points of Injection."
3. "Diagrams of Nervous System."
4. "Blood Formation."
5. "Skeleton."
[interior board]
6. "Sections of Upper and Lower Extremities." 6-layer views of the arm and leg, each with 5 flaps, mounted to board.
7. [title plate], mounted to reverse.
[second interior board]:
8. Head (7 flaps), Ear (3 flaps, one with lithographs on both sides), and Eye (6 flaps, including acetate and tissue layers).
9. "Foetal Organization"
10. "Sectional View of Female" (single canvas-backed lithograph)
[upper cover]
11. "Male Genital Organs" (3 flaps) and "Female Pelvic Organs" (10 flaps).
[oversize item; shipping calculated by location]
*RESERVED