COLD WATER FOR BURNS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 16

COLD WATER FOR BURNS.

Sir,—l am surprised at (he Cippnreni ignorance of tho prominent Auckland doctor re tho efficacy of the cold-water euro for burns, as mentioned in tho case of tho Maori girl, forwarded to tho Herald by Mr. S. L. P. Rimmer. From my own personal knowledge and expericnco with cold water I do not doubt ono word in this caso referred to by Mr. Gittos. Animals in the natural state when burnt will often take to the water, whero they will remain, on and off, for days. When tho cure is compisto no scar remains. In nature-euro work severe burns aro immersed in water for weeks (the neutral bath) with good results. While bathing in tho tropics recently I was severely burnt about tho shoulders and arms. By way of comparison, I ap. plied coconut oil to ono sido and cold water packs to tho other. The latter healed quickly without blistering, while tho former blistered badly and was an eyesore for some time. Whilo passing through a, Samoan villago one Sunday morning recently my attention was attracted by the bitter crying of a child. Investigation showed that tho little one had upset a pot of boiling water ovei# herself. I advised the removal of tho sufferer to tho neighbouring gtream. Immediately tho child was placed in the j water sho ceased crying, proving that relief came at ;mce. A few weeks later I saw tho little ono and found her skin a beautiful uniform smoothness all over, which characterises tho South Sea Islanders, whoso skin is in constant contact with nature's remedies—air, light and water. One of tho boys told me that tho old Samoans used water for burns, but now tho papalagi (white) doctors supplied remedies which were no good. Mrs. Ingram, my next-door neighbour, badly burnt ono hand and arm with boiling fat whilo cooking. I advocated cold water. Two weeks later it was impossible to tell which hand and arm had been burnt. Mr. and Mrs Ingram have since gone to China as missionaries Tho doctor referred to above recommends methylated spirit Why worry about this oxpensive poison when cold water costs nolhing, is absolutely safe and is more effective ? Fred. L. Garland.