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Burns and Scalds

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Burns and Scalds
• Burns and Scalds-2

"BURNS AND SCALDS ( see 4.860). - During the World War a large number of burns were encountered in British medical practice, in the army and the navy and in munition works. The ordinary methods of treatment were adopted, but in addition the use of hot paraffin applications was tried with very marked success. This treatment indeed is stated by its supporters to give better results than any other hitherto employed. The burn is first of all washed with normal saline or with an antiseptic such as flavine or proflavine (I - I,000): it is then dried with gauze or an electric dryer. A layer of paraffin is applied at temperature 55°-60°C. A thin layer of wool is placed over the first layer of paraffin and then a second layer of hot paraffin painted over the wool. A dressing of wool and bandage is then applied and this is changed every 24 hours. The layer of paraffin must be of sufficient thickness. It may be sprayed on instead of painted. The temperature is thus important, for if it is too high the paraffin will run.

The effect of the paraffin is largely to act as a protection, and it is claimed by some that the addition of antiseptics to the paraffin is very advantageous. Lieut.-Col. A. J. Hull of the R. A.M.C. emphasized this in a communication to the journal of the Corps and recommended that the aniline antiseptics, brilliant green or flavine, should be employed. These antiseptics owe their wide use to the work of Professor C. H. Browning, who first introduced them.

The preparation of the paraffin is thus described by Colonel Hull: " Take z gramme of brilliant green or 2 grammes of scarlet red or flavine and 40 grammes of lanoline, rub up the coloured material with the adeps lanae hydrosus until a highly coloured smooth paste is obtained which contains no undisintegrated particles of the dye; using about a oz. of water assists the solution of the dyes. Melt the paraffin durum (678 grammes) and add 210 grammes of paraffin molle and 50 c.c. of olive oil. Let the temperature of the resulting mixture sink to at least 65° C.; then stir in the previously prepared lanoline paste, stirring until thoroughly mixed. At about 55° C. add 20 c.c. of eucalyptus oil; stir and allow to solidify." The scarlet is said to form the least satisfactory suspension, but its therapeutic value has caused it to be continued in use. It acts as a stimulus to healing after the burns are clean. The flavine paraffin seems to answer best for recent burns. (R. M. WI.)