The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-05-23
In Case or Burns.


through ignorance of what to do for
persons who are severely burned. A
little knowledge Of what to do before
the doctor comes will prevent much
needless suffering and often save
lives The information in this article
is given by surgeon who has made
many hurried calls to fires to render
aid to the injured. He said to me
when asked him what was the best
thing to do for burns:
Many times persons clothing is
ignited from the flames Of gas stove
or carelessly dropped matches. Tn
such cases the person is usually wo.
man; not that women are more care
less than men but their flowing house
gowns are more easily ignited. The
majority Of women, when they find
their clothing in flames, will start to
run away from the danger.
"Suoh procedure is quite likely to
prove fatal. If the person is alone,
quilt, rug or portiere, or any large
wrap, should be thrown about the
body. Then, by lying upon the floor
and rolling over. the flames can be
quickly smoothed. If some one is
near at hand to give assistance, so
much the better. In any case, the
first thing to do is to sec that every
spark Of fire is extinguished. THAI
duty performed, the clothing should
be removed from the burned portions
of the body. There are many lotions
that will relieve the pain. The one
main point that should be kept in
mind, however, is to keep the air from
the burns.
Nothing is better than -four to
protect the burned surface from the
air. Make liberal use Of the -four and
cover every part Of the body that the
fire has reached. When this is done,
cover tie patient with wraps, protect
him from oil drafts and when the doc
tor comes he will dress the burns.
Almost any kind Of oil is excellent,
except, Of course, kerosene and simi-
lar oils. The very best oil chat can
be applied is linseed. This oil, mix
ed with lime water, forms carron oil,
an old remedy for burns which has
been in use over 200 years. Immedi.
ately upon application oarron oil forms
false skin or film over the burned
surface, which effeotually prevents
the air from reaching the injured
parts. Collodion is also an excellent
lotion to apply to burns. This pre-
paration is antiseptic, and also dis
infectant. 1t keeps the burns abso-
lutely clean, free from air, dirt and
microbes.
"Not long ago, in one of the city
hospitals, silver foil was used as
covering for burns. or course, the
foil served its purpose very we'll, but
in most households such an article is
seldom to be found. And even if.the
foil is obtainable, it is rather difficult
TO properly apply it.
"Paraffine or wax candles can be
melted and poured over the bupns.
This quickly hardens and FORMS
coating through which the ain cannat
penetrate. This treatment also re-
iieves the pain. Care should be taken
that. when matted =nd ready TO pour
on the injured parts it is not too hot.
One argument against the use Of par:
afine is that it is removed With dias-
Guilty.
"All these remedies are merely ppse-
liminary precautions taken before the
arrival OF the doctor. In cases where
the burns are extensive I should nd-
wise the application oe -four OF ;iaseeda
oil. Keep the injured person as auiet
as possible, and out OF the air, and
send Cor the doctor az once. Where
the burns are slight, aud che DOCTOR O
services are not required, The earSon
oil or eollodion will psove excellent
remedies. Ie would be wise pre-
caution 60 have bottle OF either b..
tion at hand. Where patient 10 aua-
f0rSuR from iDha}aAtnn ~ os,,oGo hoaA