The danger from burns or scalds is in direct proportion to the extent of surface involved and the depth of tissue destroyed. Fortunately, the ma- jority of cases are trifling, and usually the hands or face are the parts that suffer. In these instances there are two things to be done: first, to relieve pain, and second, to encourage healing. To accomplish the former, apply a saturated solution of baking soda; for the latter use some mild ointment - fresh lard, for example - and keep the injured part protected from the air by a dressing of cotton batting.

Should the child's clothing take fire, remember that an upright position not only favors the spread of the flames, but encourages their approach to the neck and head. Any movement of the body, too, aids the flames by bringing fresh currents of air in contact with the burning materials. Therefore, do not let the child run about, but seize him, throw him down upon the floor and envelop his body closely in the hearth rug or a woolen tablecloth.

Should the child have fallen into a tub of scalding water, remove him immediately, of course, and undress him. In taking off the clothing, be careful to do it so gently as not to break the blisters produced by the moist heat; and should the underclothing stick anywhere to the surface, the garments must be cut away piecemeal, leaving the adherent portions untouched.

After the above preliminaries put him, in either case, at once to bed. Next, prepare a number of pieces of old muslin corresponding in size with the injured areas, spread these with fresh lard or cosmo-line, apply them and cover all with a thick layer of cotton batting and fix with bandages. Should the patient complain of cold hands or feet, or of faint-ness, a little whiskey or brandy may be administered and artificial heat applied to the extremities if these be uninjured. Nothing else should be done without the physician.