The anatomical mummies of Mombello: detection of cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine in the hair of psychiatric patients of the early 20th century

The anatomical specimens examined in the present study are part of a collection once placed in the Provincial Mental Asylum of Milan, Mombello (Limbiate), a structure created in the late 19th century. In 1878, this institution replaced the historic Senavra Psychiatric Hospital, which had been active since 1780 [1]. During the early 20th century, unclaimed bodies of many Mombello patients were dissected and preserved by Giuseppe Paravicini, an anatomist who operated within the asylum. In 1907, Paravicini became the head physician of the Institute of Pathological Anatomy of the asylum, a position which he held until the beginning of World War I [2].

Source: Forensic Science International - November 13, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Frank Musshoff, Helena Fels, Alberto Carli, Dario Piombino-Mascali Tags: Case Report Source Type: research