Brock Way wrote: > > Shaving cream simply does NOT harm the tombstone, and > if washed away, does NOT leave any residue. Think > about it - the principle solvent in the can is water > (it is the #1 ingredient), and the other ingredients > do not partition in the can. So how could the same > ingredients magically become insoluble in the SAME > solvent when applied in even greater volume later? > That notion simply defies the laws of physics. > Folks, I'm just an engineer, not an expert on stones. However, I do have some knowledge of physics and chemistry (organic and inorganic), and I know the difference between an emulsion and a solution. Shaving cream contains several organic acids, numerous oils, dyes, propylene glycol, and various glycerides. Some of these penetrate the stone matrix, and do NOT simply rinse off. They can damage the stone, or become nutrients for various organisms that can also be harmful. The Association for Gravestone Studies (http://www.gravestonestudies.org/), among others, state that shaving cream should NEVER be used on stones. I am more inclined to believe them than some unidentified source. Lacking any authoritative data to the contrary, I would never put anything other than light and water on a stone. If there is enough indentation to fill with shaving cream, chalk (an abrasive), or other foreign material, those same hollows can be filled with shadow by using grazing illumination. With only light touching the stone, I KNOW that I have done no harm. Gary Vincent Colorado, USA

Hi Folks, Just to address a couple of issues-- > Some of these penetrate the stone matrix, and do NOT > simply rinse off. This is simply untrue. If you have experience in chemistry, and know the difference between emulsion and solution, then you should also know what chromatography is. There is no pore in the stone that is large enough to allow the entry of the solid phase but yet magically too small to allow entry of the solution phase. No analysis of tombstone material has ever shown trace of residue. What there is is a LOT of is people CLAIMING there is a residue which does not wash off. This issue is very much like evolution. People have strong beliefs that cannot be swayed with actual science. But as a scientific investigation, this was settled a long time ago. The experiment has already been done. If you choose not to believe, fine, I am not going to FORCE people to put shaving cream on a tombstone. > They can damage the stone, or become nutrients for > various organisms that can also be harmful. Uhm, what? Which organisms can metabolize shaving cream? The only way shaving cream even harbors organisms is the case where floating organisms get stuck to it, and then metabolize surrounding material. But here again, this doesn't happen if you just wash it off. > The Association for Gravestone Studies > (http://www.gravestonestudies.org/), > among others, state that shaving cream should NEVER > be used on stones. I am > more inclined to believe them than some > unidentified source. That's curious. When you were talking about "unidentified souce", I would have presumed it was the Association for Gravestone Studies that you were refering to. There is no source given for any of the opinions shown there. > Lacking any authoritative data to the contrary, I > would never put anything other than light and water > on a stone. I think a lot of genealogist create really interesting pedigrees using the same logic. If I ask them for proof that William Schmoe is Joe Schmoe's father, they respond, "prove that he isn't!". The trouble with this is that the burden of proof is on the original assertion, not on its refutation. It is illogical to presume an assertion is true unless someone can prove it is untrue. So rather than wait for "authoritative data to the contrary", I would suggest that someone provide "authoritative data in the affirmative", which I note that nobody has yet to do. This 'no shaving cream' rationale is no more logical than someone suggesting that looking at the stone will harm it, then everyone not looking at the stone until some "authoritative data" surfaces to show that it is not harmful to look at the stone. Brock _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today! http://vote.yahoo.com

Hi gang I am in the middle of taking pictures of all stones in Stephenson Township, Muskoka and transcribing the cemeteries. I am also lucky enough to have some of the cemetery records for the 2 big cemeteries here. If anyone needs a look up please email me. I am on the list of volunteers for this township also. Janine