BURNS AND CUTS

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1945, Page 7

BURNS AND CUTS

(By the Department of Health) For burns and scalds in the home don’t put on any. kind of messy oily dressings, such as rubbing the injured part with butter. Quickly exclude air by plunging it into a solution of baking soda —one dessertspoonful of soda bicarbonate to a pint of water. Any clothing can be removed _ while the area Is immersed. A dressing of lint in strips saturated in a, fresh baking soda solution, should be cov-

ered with waterproof material —oiled silk or jaconette—and cotton wool. If you-ve no waterproof material handy, moisten the cotton wool with the solution to keep it wet as long as possible. If the burn is more than a minor one this dressing kept moist is admirable while waiting for the doctor or on the way to hospital. Remember the strength—baking soda 1 dessertspoon to 1 pint. And don’t go making a mistake and using washing soda! / For clean cuts and scratches paint the damaged area with tincture of

iodine, or a 1 per cent solution of gentian- violet. This doesn t st in £ like the iodine, and is very good, but it is a stain. So be careful if using gentian violet just as you have to be careful with iodine, too. After painting, cover with sterile gauze or lint, a little cotton wool and bandage. For dirty wounds wash in soapy water or disinfectant solution. If there seems to be redness and inflammation give a long hot water soak, followed by a hot poultice, and repeat. fourhourly; until you get a doctor—df you are still worried.