The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-04
Burns and Scalds.
: writer in the Prairie Farmer sayS

49, - 4 - ~ sf@~
degree, statitl>cs ID not tell II. In this
country. a. IN others. the number
must - large enough T. induce moth
tT' - prepare thtm>elV-, FOR coping
With these accidents that are nearly
certain - happen. Burns and scalds
are nearly tn same in their results.
anu properly demand the same kind ~
treatment Tire severity II any burn
or eca!d depends upon its extent, its
depth and rs u.arnrSs - the lungs
and heart. Mild burns and scalds Inn
palr the life OF the outer XII -
Nere Ones impair the vitality II the
= skin alld induce constitutional
results more or less severe. In ordIna-
~ burns and scalds, the injured part
Is the skin. a membrane that i highly
organized and full of nerves, 50 that
they may be extensive. but still not
severe, nor. fatal in their effects. \
small burn or sCald on the chest i al
ways more dangerous than a very
lnge n on the limbs or seat. \ child
OF two years pulled over a teapot. and
thus threw a small amount OF boiling
water upon its chest. The scald Was
not larger than a modern dime. TWAS
not deep and still the wound in three
days caused its death. Another Chllds
clothes took fire. The fingers OF one
hand We're so deeply burned. that, IN a
few days. the first second joints came
OH and the derma OF the arm was al
most entirely destroyed and still the
child recovered.
Burns and scalds are usually consid-
cred under four grades, based upon
the depth and injury of the tissues.
The first includes Inflammation Of the
outer skin or %cuticle, or epidermis.
Richness. Swellingand moderate smart
ing marks this grade. Rarely any con-
s~tltutlonal disturbance appears. Its
peculiar indications. IN a day or more.
pass entirely away and the cutlcie III a
short time disappears. The second IS
marked by Inflammation of the inner
SKIN, or cuts, or derma- Busters, red
ness, swelling and smartlng indicate
its presence. The disturbance of the
nervous system is not usually very
great. But ten DAYS on more are nee
eSSary to restore the skin to its former
healthy state. The third grade means
the destruction of the outer layer of
the derma. 1t is marked by gray or
brown patches, oyer which are vesl-
cles containing not pure, watery ser
UNI as in bliSterS of the second grade,
|. but q brOwniSh and SangulneOuS mud.
These patches are inSenSlble and dead.
The Jam at first Is severe, but IN a few
days pass, away. when suppuratlon
begins and renews the pain. The sup
peration separates the dead tissue from
the living. The fourth is marked by
the destruction of the derma. At first
the pain is exceedingly severe, but
shortly ceases, because the vitality of
the skin and lower tissues are destroy
ed. Within four days dark, dry
hard scar appears after burns, but a
soft one after scalds. Suppuratlons
come on, and soon the dead part sepa-
rates from the living, leaving a deep
ulcer, that, under proper treatment,
gradually heals by granulation and en-
tails a strong tendency Of the muscles
injured to almost irresistible c%ontrac-
ton. In one deep burning of an ARM,
the upper and lower parts We're
brought into a close and permanent
proximity with.each other. In a Sc
we're burning of the neck and parts adj
iacent. the chin was drawn down so
as to nearly touch the upper of the
breast.
Usually in the first and second
grades Of burns or scald or scar IS left.
But in the third and fourth, a scar is
ALWAYS seen. and has not the usual vas
cular character or ordinary appearance
of the natural, healthy skin. 1t IS
white and fibrous as we MAJ often oh
serve it on the neck or cheek, and the
adjoining parts. The constitutional
effects in the two latter grades are al
WAYS serious and exceedingly severe.
Often they shock the nervous system
50 deeply as to destroy life at once.
What can a mother do. when her
child's clothes are freely burning :
Seize it, wrap around 1t some wooden
fabric. throw it on the flour r ground,
bring the fabric. shawl, banket, coat.
snugly around it, roll it slowly. and
smother the flames at once. 1t may
improved the smothering qualities Of
the fabric to wet it if she can. Extin-
guish the flames as quickly as she can.
Then roll it in wet cloths Or immerse
it IN warm water.
Fright and burning PAIN compel
children to run to and fro for relief
and help. Stop them, if you can. If
their clothes are burning, running n
increases the current OF the air and
blows the flames III more rapid action.
Do not raise them in your arms, but
roll them on the ground OF floor. En-
velop them snugly with anything.
Wrap around the injured limbs or
body, wet cloths of any kind, to keep
it cool and check its sutferlngs. We
have thought warm water to be safer
than cold and equally soothing and
otherwise effective. The important
point in the early treatment, Is TO pro-
Uect the skin from the influence OF the
air. \ child when nudate sat down IN
a tub of boiling water. The mother
seized it and placed it n clay-pud-
die near her cottage door. The chi q
soon ceased crying. 50 the wise moth
e. held it sitting in the puddle till We
arrived. We advised the mother to
apply clay cream for several days.
When they clay came off. the skin was
smooth and soft. The body linen
should be cautiously removed lest any
part adhere to the injured surface.
The adherent part should not torn
away, but be left. The dressing de