TREATMENT OF BURNS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20786, 3 August 1929, Page 17

TREATMENT OF BURNS.

VALUE OF TANNIC ACID. Prominence was recently given by the London Times..to a contribution from its medical correspondent referring to an inquiry in Britain to ascertain the views of tbe staffs of hospitals about the treatment of burns by tannic acid. “ The consensus of opinion, seems to be that the tannic acid treatment has not only revolutionised practice but has very greatly reduced the death rate,” he wrote. “ Before the treatment was introduced it was recognised that the day following a burn was fraught with great danger on account of shock ’; most of the deaths took place on this day or the day following. Recent work on shock, notably that of Dale, of the National Institute of Medical Research, has afforded a conception of the condition differing entirely from that formerly held. The shock which follows burning is'due to the absorption through the skin of decomposition products, hista-imne-like substances, which are produced by the injury itself. To prevent this absorption is, therefore, to prevent shock. The treatment by tannic * acidj r which was introduced in America in the first instance achieves this object. Tannic acid forms a chemical compound with the decomposition products, and so ‘binds’ them. They cannot be absorbed. The consequence is that no shock occurs and that the patient remains well. Further, the tanme acid produced a firm coating over the burns which served as its protection and dressing.’ There is no painful disturbance of the injured area and there is little or no pain. ' When the burn has healed the coating drops off. There would appear to be. no doubt that this treats ment has robbed cases of severe burning of half their danger. The treatment is painless, safe, and simple.”