Jean-Nicolas Gannal

Jean-Nicolas Gannal, (Saarlouis, 27 July 1791 – Paris, 13 January 1852)[1] was a French pharmacist, chemist, inventor and military doctor.

His contributions to technical chemistry included a method of refining borax, the introduction of elastic rollers formed of gelatin and sugar for use in printing, and processes for manufacturing glue and gelatin, lint, white lead, &c. The Institute awarded him a Montyon prize in 1827 for his advocacy of chlorine as a remedy in pulmonary phthisis, and again in 1835 for his discovery of the efficacy of solutions of aluminium acetate and chloride for preserving anatomical preparations.

In the latter part of his life he turned his attention to embalmment, his method depending on the injection of solutions of aluminium salts into the arteries.

According to the company's records, the Gannal process was used to embalm the bodies of Hortense Schneider, Anna de Noailles, Paul Doumer, maréchal Joffre and many other celebrities.

Jean-Nicolas Gannal died in Paris on 13 January 1852, at his residence at 6 rue de Seine, and was buried at cimetière du Montparnasse.