The main principal of mummification was to dry the body so that anaerobic bacteria could not live on its tissues. Both the body and the extracted viscera were therefore put separately in a heap of dry Natron and left in this state for affixed number of days during which water was driven out of them by osmosis. The cranial cavity was then stuffed with resin or linen soaked in resin. The thoracic and abdominal cavities were evacuated of the temporary stuffing materials and re stuffed with various materials such as cinnamon ,myrrh, cassia ,linen ,linen soaked in resin, sawdust ,Natron *, and occasionally one or more onions. The body was anointed with cedar oil and then rubbed with myrrh. The whole body was then treated with molten resin which would strengthen and consolidate the body and would at same time close its pores and prevent atmospheric moisture from penetrating it the body was at last bandaged with linen bandages stuck together with gum or resin. (from the brief history of ancient Egypt by Zaki Iskander and Alexander Badawi published in Cairo madkur 1965
What is Natron?
Natron is a natural salt, composed of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate with traces of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. It was used by the ancient Egyptians to dry out the bodies.
How did the Egyptian pharaohs manage wound healing???
The Egyptian pharaohs always used honey to cover wound .the usual treatment of wounds by the Egyptian pharaoh was on the first day to bandage it with fresh meat . it was then recommended that wound be bound with oil and honey which might be expected to improve wound healing by two mechanisms. First the osmotic effect of the sugars in honey would draw fluids out of damaged tissue and reduce swelling.secondly it is well recognized that bacteria do not grow in honey.overall honey would expect to accelerate wound healing and this has indeed been demonstrated in controlled studies by Bergman et al 1983.
Bergman,A.,Yanai,J,Weiss,J,Bell,D,and David ,M P.1983: acceleration of wound healing by topical application of honey.American Journal of Surgery 145:374-6
formerly co-director of The research on X-raying the Egyptian pharaohs
Dr.K.A.Galil.Professor of Dentistry
DDS.,D.Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery,PH.D,FAGD.,FADI.,Cert.Periodontist(Royal College of dental surgeons )
,Developer of The patented first App in Oral Histology for i Pad,i Phone ,i Pod Touch
On the medical use of mummies, especially the powder called "Mumia vera" you can find a lot of information by googling "Mumia vera" o "Mummia vera" for instance: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-gruesome-history-of-eating-corpses-as-medicine-82360284/