Sandow is a fairly high formaldehyde content (Index 26) cavity embalming fluid. Sandow's surface tension reducing agents promote penetration to carry potent germicides and protein fixatives into tissues and highly infectious regions. This combination of chemical components cause the viscera to develop a pliant setup. Astringent chemicals constrict pores and capillaries to restrict leakage through the cavity wall. Preservation is enhanced by additional germicidal ingredients.

Sandow cavity fluid should be used full strength undiluted; 1 pint in the thoracic cavity, and 1 pint more in the abdominal cavity. The cleaned viscera can be treated and preserved using 1 pint of this cavity fluid. Cavity fluid not absorbed by the viscera can be utilized by pouring into one of the body cavities above.