On the Treatment of Burns and Scalds. a] 
Sonsequence of having observed, in many cases, the effeets of 
emollient applications, and of the cold saturnine lotion, used both 
separately and conjointly, to various cases of this nature—and 
likewise from the effects of the stimulating applications, then in 
fashion with some practitioners, viz. vinegar, camphorated spirit 
of wine, &e. 
I have two cases of severe scalds at this time (July 12, 1812) 
under my care; one which has been dressed in the ordinary way 
with emollient cerate only; the person neglecting to apply the 
sold lotion as [ had directed. 
In the other case, both legs were severely scalded, from the 
feet to the knees nearly. 
In this instance the patient very prudently, in my opinion, im- 
mersed his legs instantly, without waiting to take his shoes and 
stockings off, in a tub of cold water, which happened: to be 
near, for some time, and then applied-to me. I pursued the 
plan before mentioned ; the next day there were several vesica- 
tions of considerable size, (although the greater part escaped 
this effect,) which I immediately punctured, pressing out the 
effused serum. At a week’s end from the time of the accident, 
the denuded parts, and those which were still covered in part with 
the detached cudicle, were entirely free from inflammation and 
pain, and scarcely any tenderness remained ; and in less than a 
fortnight from the time of the accident, he was perfectly well ; 
no suppuration or discharge whatever having succeeded to the 
accident. The cold lotion was applied by this person, almost 
unremittingly, night and day. 
In the former instance, the blistered parts suppurated, and 
were many weeks in healing. 
The ordinary progress, as I have found by repeated instances 
of cases treated assiduously in the manner recommended above, 
has been according to the event in that instance ; and in cases 
of burns or severer scalds, in which sloughs have*formed, the 
event, by following the directions before given for the treatment. 
of such cases, has been equally successful, allowing for the greater 
degree of injury received, 
I think it unnecessary, and even injurious, to use any applica- 
tion colder, either in winter or summer, than that temperature. 
at which spring water usually is all the year round; viz. about 
50° of Fahrenheit, (which temperature of water, as is well known, 
may be obtained throughout the year, from a pump, a pailful or 
two having been previously pumped off ;) and the more frequently 
this is renewed, especially at first, the better :—pumping upon 
the part, however, by its mechanical force, might be injurious. 
After the first or second dressing, | prefer the use of some de- 
siccative cerate, to the emollient one ; viz. a saturnine cerate, 
of 
