Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-18
EXTINGUISFEING BURNING
OIL

There are few accidents more terrible
than the setting fire to the loose vest.
ments worn by women. Instantly the
lower part of the dress is ignited the
flames rush upward with great velocity,
aad the whole of the garments are IN
volved ia the cOnfag-atiOn. Even If
almost Immediately extinguished, so large
a portion of the skin Is seorched that
death often ensues from the shock TO the
system, though perhaps the actual injury
does not appear TO be severe.
The first impulse of the victim is to
rush shout shrieki0g for help; the second
to open the door, if possible, and run
along the passages cut into the open air,
thus tanning the fame to the utmost.
No line of action could be more fatal in
its consequences. l. cannot be too cons
stan.ly borne in mind that the only safety
is TO fall down quickly on the floor; if
small portion Of the dress only is iguIted,
it may be put out By thrusting il under
the body and By rolling upon it. By
rolling over and over the person on fire IS
comparatively safe, as the flames ascend
away from the body, and thus do com
parstiyely little damage,
The course of action for bg-standeTs is
evident; it is to seize auy wooden covering
near at hand, as a blanket, shawl, hearth
rug. coat, or curtain, throw il instantly
around the sufferer, and roH her on the
floor in It's folds. Scores of lives have
been saved by by-stsnders taking off their
coats, and instantly extinguisbing the
flames in this manner. As soon as the
victim is on the ground the greatest
danger is over; the flames no longer rise
to the face, and the breathing of the
overheated air, which is always fatal, is
prevented.
1t may be asked, what is the best treat
ment TO be adopted for the sufferer before
the arrival Of medical aid. If the burn
Ia severe, the patient should be laid in a
bee and the Clothes removed with as little
disturbance as possible; they should, if
requisite, be cut off, so as to avoid the
slightest injury 10 the burned surface.
Then, to exclude tie air, some applies
tio1 is requisite; cotton wool does very
well, but the simplest, the nearest to
hand, the most easily applied, and GER
tainly one of the most efiicsci1us, is -four,
pro1usely dre1ged on out of common
aour-dredger.
1t Can not be too strongly bone in
mind hat cold water or ether cold appi-
cations To an extensive burn are fatal.
Persons suffering from burns rarely die
from the immediate injury; the cause OF
death is either the shock to the system or
congestion of The lungs, both of which
would be greatly intensified by cold ap-
piled to the on er surface of the body.
The Danger Cf burn or scald is not in
proportion to is intensity or severity so
Eluch s to extent of surface injured;
thus d severe burn confined to small
portion Of the body is seldom fatal. A
comparatively slight scald extending over
large surface IS rarely recovered from.
Thu, Hmcn'abie accidents often occur
from cailiren pulling cup of hot tea
from the edge of tahl,; the liquid runs
Down inside the clothes, spreads over the
Oh s., ard, from the extent rather than
the severity of the injury, it is often fatal.
--HEper's B0z1r.