HEALTH HINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 95, 21 April 1906, Page 10

HEALTH HINTS.

BUKNS ANDTIffiIR TBEATHmWf - I aiu of opinion that burns,, forming one of the commonest accidents "that can occur, axe-of ten not merely badly treated, but neglected in sC fashion"tha€iiead& to serious results- occasionally, following on a relatively simple injury. In the first place, a burn constitutes one of L the most painful affections, a circum-\-stance-explained by the fact that it stroys the ends of a large number of nerves in the skin. The result of pain is- to induce that condition we know as I "shock." ■ By this term we mean that the -patient suffers from: a-kind-of. collapse. all, is~cold. • from- the -extreme- which ■ is • exercised upon- his nervous system. We should remenibet that in all cases of shock the treatment is to keep the-pa-tient warm, and, if necessary; to administer a stimulant in some-form or other. It well., to note also that in children the effects of. a burn are apt to be far more serious than in, the case of an ; adult. The chili should,, therefore., be instantly treated, and: carefully; watched, | One: curious point known to medical men,is, also .to. be noted in .the fact, that in children who. have suffered from severe burns - there is apt .to appear afterwards a certain -inflamed condition of the first part of the bow-el or intestine. The reason for this consequence of the burn, so to speak.. is_ very difficult to discover. *JPhe first ■ point in' connection with the-treatment--of any burn or scald •is to -exclude- the α-ir. - The atmosphere appears to have a singularly irritating effect on the burn. If any fragments of clothing- remain- on- -the injured these-must not be- pulled off.- Plaee-the affected path in tepid water, not - cold ■ water, and moisten the -charred- fragments of clothing in this way, so; that they may be easily floated off. If blisters,form, it is better to snip them with a-pair of clean scissor s,~ so-as to-allow, the escape of the ifuid beneath. -

Tie best applifcationa for bums are oils of any sort. By oils, I mean such substances as linseed, oil, olive oil, eas.--tor oil,, and the like. I need hardly remark .that, such oils as are -represented by paraffin., and petroleum, oils do not belong.to the same class as that just mentioned, and are, therefore,, unsuitable for use. in the treatment of burns. The best application is Carren oil,, so called, because it was first used at the Carron. Iron Works in Stirlingshire.' It isfmadeby mixing together equal parts o£ w iinseed" oil and lime water. ' It makes a "thickish fluid, which should be applied I to the burned surface, and duly, covered ov-er with Jint. If Carron oil is not at hand, however, use oil of any kind. Soakvlint -in the oil, and then cover the burn with cotton-wool, secured - by a bandage. Renieinber that a, bum or . scald, of the mouth ia apt. to be extremely, dangerous .on account of - injflammation of-the throat-parts set. up. Such ,*n accident may result in suffocation, due" to the- swelling which is produced. This.,accident .is unfortunately common: in the case of little children, who left unattended in., their, homes,, put theftmouths to the spouts p£ kettles, boiling, J?** the,.fire. The doctor's.,seryice.s shouldat ones be called in question, as. an operation on the opening of "the "windpipe may. be required to save t>e. child's life. I should add that, in the opinion: of certain authorities/ the blisters Which form in connection with'a burn should not be opened. There iSj however, a divergence of opinion on this point, and. inasmuch, as the blister itself may be broken, in the act of dressing the, burn, and fartherms" healing will not~take place untiL the BHsfer haa parted; wiffi its fluid; - itseeine on'ihi whole. :to"Tje"t&e. proper, treatment," as I have recommendai that the: blister should be punctured and the fluid- allowed i to" Andrew Wilepn, in the "Weekly Scotsmen."