BURNS, SCALDS, ETC. 4C7 



In all cases of severe scalds or burns there is more or less super- 

 vening fever, manifested by shiverings, coldness of the skin and 

 extremities, prostration of strength, restlessness, quick and 

 feeble pulse, and heavy or sighing respiration ; the surface of 

 the burnt part, if destroyed, will become pale and leathery, the 

 hair coming off in patches, leaving a denuded surface, from 

 which issues a thin serous discharge. Swelling of the part 

 now appears, and in about four or five days a line of demarca- 

 tion surrounds the dead part; the chasm widens, the burnt 

 portion contracts and dries, leaving the exposed granulating 

 surface full in view ; the granulations are white, spongy, and 

 moist ; there is no discharge of laudable pus, but of a thinnish 

 ichorous matter, generally of a dirty- white colour. The slough 

 now falls off, leaving a wound of more or less magnitude, 

 according to the severity of the burn, which takes many months 

 to heal ; it then leaves a cicatrix of a hard, dense, cartilaginous 

 nature, wliich contracts more or less, pulling the surrounding 

 skin into puckered folds, which ever afterwards constitute an 

 unsightly blemish. 



The most intractable cases are those where the regions of the 

 elbow and shoulder are burnt or scalded. Here, in consequence 

 of the continual action of the parts, and the attrition caused by 

 the motion of the chest against the muscles of the inner part 

 of the arm, the wound never heals. Very often the whole limb 

 is burnt, exposing tendons, muscles, and destroying the tissues 

 protecting the articular cavities ; such cases should always be 

 destroyed at once. But if the gluteal region or thick part of the 

 thigh be burnt, involving none of the joints, recovery may ensue, 

 altliough the injury be excessive. 



Horses sometimes die from the first shock ; the animal sinks 

 from collapse ; the rigors become severe, with great restlessness, 

 feebleness of the pulse, sighing respiration, rapid prostration, 

 and death. 



Treatment.— Id. all curable cases, the Carron oil, namely, 

 linseed oil and lime water, in equal parts, is to be applied 

 frequently. A good plan is to dredge this over with flour, or 

 if the oil and lime water is not to be easily got, dredging with 

 flour is a good plan. The Carron oil and flour prevent pain, 

 by excluding the atmosphere; and should neither remedy be 

 at hand, the parts may be protected by cotton wool or anything 



