5514. Treatment of Recent Burns

5514. Treatment of Recent Burns. When recently inflicted, nothing tends more decidedly to soothe or deaden the suffering than cold water; the burnt part should, therefore, be immediately placed in cold water, or thin cloths dipped in cold water should be applied and frequently renewed: over the injured surface. After the lapse of a short time, when the cold fails to relieve, rags dipped in carron oil (see No. 5513 (Carron Oil)). are, to be substituted for the water, care being taken to keep the rags moist with the oily mixture until the burn heals; this is the main point in the treatment; the rag or linen must not be removed or changed. The carron oil may be applied from the first if it is at hand; but, cold water being nearly always to be had, will be found very grateful until assistance arrives.' A large bottle of carron oil should be kept in every nursery cupboard, or in every house, in a place easy of access, a large label being affixed to it, with plain directions.

5515. Treatment of Superficial Burns

5515. Treatment of Superficial Burns. When the burn is very superficial, simply inflaming or vesicating the part, covering it up with flour, and then placing a layer of cotton over it, so as to exclude the air, makes a very comfortable dressing. Another method consists in applying cold water; and another, warm water covered with oiled silk and a bandage. Glyconine or glycerine varnish (see No. 5491 (Glyconine, or Glycerine Varnish for Cutaneous Affections)) is also a valuable remedy. Lard, deprived of salt, and simple cerate, make pleasant applications.

5516. Gross' Treatment of Burns

5516.      Gross' Treatment of Burns. The profession is indebted to Prof. Gross for the introduction of white lead and linseed oil in the treatment of burns. It is one of the very best applications which can be used, effectually excluding the air, and being always grateful to the patient. In all cases, no matter whether merely the skin or the deeper structures are involved, white lead, rubbed up with linseed oil to the consistence of paste or paint, and placed on with a brush, will be found productive of great relief. There does not appear to be any risk from the constitutional influence of the lead, though it has been suggested, to counteract any tendency of this kind, that the patient should take occasionally a little sulphate of magnesia.

5517. Burns and Scalds

5517.    Burns and Scalds. Every family should have a preparation of flaxseed oil, chalk, and vinegar, about the consistency of thick paint, constantly on hand for burns and scalds. A noted retired physician states that he has used it in hospital and private practice for the past forty years, and believes that no application can compare with it, as regards relief of pain and curative results.

5518. Remedy for Scalding

5518.    Remedy for Scalding. Apply a poultice of slippery elm bark and milk, and, when the inflammation has left, apply black salve. (See No. 4971 (Black, or Healing: Salve).) For very slight burns, the black salvo alone will cure. The slippery elm poultice is a sovereign remedy, and has effected the greatest cures. Dr. Beach relates a case of severe scalding, in which a poultice of slippery elm bark and olive oil alone very soon arrested the inflammation and acute sufferings of the patient, to the astonishment of all who witnessed the cure.