Smyrna times., 1874-12-23
Treatment of Burns and Scalds.

DIR. John Morris, of Baltimore city, has fur
nlShed The SGRttdrian Magazine a valuable
paper on the treatment of burns and scalds.
The instructions given by Dr. Morris can
be readily followed by any intelligent person at
the instance of burning or sealding. The first
step is to remove the clothing from the patient
As rest is all-mpOrtant, this should not be done
by the old plan of taking it off piece by piece,
but by removing it by few skitul cuts with
a knife or scissors. The patient should then
be instantly wrapped in a blanket, or blankets,
or large masses OF cotton, if at hand, so as to
create heat, and thus reestablish circulation.
Patients frequently exhaust themselves by
their outcries, and to guard against the depres-
sion Of nervous force brought about by this
cause chOroform or ether should be admin
istered in sufficient quantity to induce partial.
or, II necessary, complete Inconsistencies. If
these agents are not at hand, large dose of
opium should be given. This is allimportant,
as tho patient must not be allowed t. suffer if
we wish to conserve the powers of life. The
dressing should be made while the patient
is in this state. In case of bad scads of chill
dren, in which large part Of the body is in
volved, we know no dressing so good as bed of
bran, in which the patient may lie, and be
entirely covered with thick investment of the
same. This dressing has the advantage of not
requiring change, for each day as the moist
articles fall of they can be replaced with fresh
bran without disturbing the patient. 4 great
deal of harm is done to patients by frequent
dressings, and any method that obviates this is
most desirable. Patients freQueatly are ex-
posed for hours to the action of the air, suffer
ing unnecessary pain by the old and tedious
process of dressing. The air itself does no in
jury, but the extreme hypersethesia (great
sensiblity) Of tho skin produces state Of
nervous tremOr which leads to exhaustion.
In burns of the extremities there is no imme-
j l.
as hot or cold water, and, strange to say, they
act equally well. Ii the appliances are at hand,
the cold bath Is the best, the patients body to
be suspended in the bath by straps placed un-
der the body. For small burns warm water
acts admirably. We have said before, that
chloroiorm, ether or opium should be employed
in all burns of an extensive character, but be-
fore their effect is allowed TO pass of, applica-
ton should be made to produce anasthesiS
Cnsensibllity) of the parts affected. We have
heretofore used for this purpose solution OF
Labarraque's chloride of soda, of the strength
, of an ounce to a pint OF water, adding two or
three grains of morphia to the solution. This
has generally given great relief to the patient
indeed, in Il short time destroying all the
extreMe ssnsibility. CarbOlie acid has been
highly recommended as local an3sthetlc, and
it may bo possible that a solution of it in
water, in combination with Horphia, might act
still better. After 4 tree application of either
these solutions, the parts may be thickly covered
with cotton batting. This helps to eounter
balance the chilliness, and gives a comparative
I degree of comfort. In superficial burns of a
limited extent nothing is required but simple
cold water dressing. Brandy should not be ad-
/ ministered whenever opium or ether can be
I obtained, as it remotely exercises depressing
influence. Strong hot coffee is the best drink
that can possibly be given to counteract ner-
vous exhaustion, or remedy the effects Of shock.
Ii brandy is given at all, it should be given
D with coffee All earthly applications, such as
! chalk, calaminaria, etc, should be avoided. as
b they are HOt only therapeuticaly inert, but
may interfere, with the process of restoration.
/. If these staple rules be followed much auf.
Is fering may be alieviated. aud nauy a life saved.
J. which otherwise would be lost by the igno.
4; rance and mismanag0ment OF attendants.