SEVERE BURNS

Southland Times, Issue 21895, 22 December 1932, Page 16

SEVERE BURNS

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT. MEDICAL MEN INTERESTED. A recovery which is exciting keen medical interest in Auckland has been made by L. G. Fyfe, of Penrose, who was terribly burned five weeks ago through coming into contact with a conductor carrying 50,000 volts at the Government electric power sub-station at Penrose. . Fyfe was not expected to live, but he was given a newly-discov-ered treatment, with a result that the burns are now practically healed. A few years ago there would have been no hope for him, said an Auckland surgeon. It was always understood among medical men that if one-third of the body was burned, even mildly, it was extremely likely that death would occur, but this man has fully half of his body covered with burns of moderate severity. Now he has made a great recovery, and save for a certain amount of discolouration of the skin will probably be none the worse for his injuries. Fyfe, who is 29 years of age, was removing birds’ nests from the high tension structure in the station yard on November 14 when the accident occurred. Members of the staff heard a loud report, and saw a bright flash, and found him lying on the ground fearfully burned. He fell 20ft. When the line was automatically cut off the conductor was carrying 50,000 volts, but it is estimated that only 30,000 volts would pass to earth through his body, yet cases have occurred of persons being killed by 230 volts. When Fyfe was removed to Auckland Hospital the doctors gave him a new treatment, which has been used in Auckland only during the last two or three years. The burned flesh was sprayed with a weak solution of tannic acid, with a result that the whole of the burned skin became tanned and hardened. No dressing was required. “The features of this simple treatment,” said the doctor, “are that pain is greatly diminished, and the poisonous substances that often cause death are neutralized by the acid. The scarring that results from the burns is also diminished. A large children’s hospital in England reports that the mortality from burns has been reduced 50 per cent, through this treatment, and I know that excellent results are now being obtained in this country.” He expressed the opinion that owing to the convenience and simplicity of the treatment, flasks containing tannic acid in the required solution should be kept everywhere that persons are exposed to. burns. The solution was Obtainable in Auckland made up in flasks, together with a simple spray. It might save great pain, risk of permanent maining, and even death if this remedy were kept available.