Why is William Hunter credited with an important advance in modern embalming?

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surgeon; American Civil War — embalming An embalming surgeon at work on a soldier's body during the American Civil War.

The Scottish anatomist William Hunter is credited with a significant advancement in modern embalming because he was the first to report fully on the use of arterial and cavity injection as a method to preserve bodies for burial.1

While earlier scientists, such as William Harvey, had utilized arterial injection in physiological experiments, Hunter’s work formalized the technique for mortuary purposes. His methods gained widespread attention in 1775 when his brother, John Hunter, successfully embalmed the body of Mrs. Martin Van Butchell, allowing her to remain above ground for an extended period. This development helped transition embalming from an experimental medical practice into a recognized method for preserving the deceased.1