472 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



he does not die at once from shock) will soon show signs of fever — 

 shivering-, coldness of the extremities, weakness, restlessness, quick 

 and feeble pulse, and labored breathing. No matter which agent is a 

 ' factoi- in the production of burns, the lesions are practically of the 

 same nature. The extent and site of the burn should lead one in the 

 determination and course of treatment. Burns of the shoulder and 

 those about the region of the elbow or other parts where there is much 

 movement of the tissues arc grave, and, if at all extensive, treatment 

 should not be attempted, but the immediate destruction of the animal 

 is advised. A burn of the third degree, where there is a destruction 

 of the vitality of large areas of tissue, even on parts not subject to 

 much motion, is extremely tedious to treat; in fact, it is questionable 

 whether the treatment and keep of the animal will ever be compensated 

 for, even though recovery does take place, which, in any event, will 

 require at least six or eight weeks. Those due to lightning stroke 

 and trollej" wires are likely to occur in irregular lines, and, unless 

 death occurs at once, they are not likely to prove serious. 



Treatment.— Tvcatment should be prompt and effective. If the 

 burns are extensive the constitutional symptoms should be combated 

 with whisky and milk and eggs, or ammonium carbonate, strychnine, 

 caffein, and other stimulants to prevent shock. In the local treatment, 

 to alleviate pain, the application of cold water in some form and the 

 hypodermic injection of morphine are to be recommended. In burns 

 of the first degree, where there is only a superficial inflammation, lead 

 carbonate (white lead) ointment is very good. Carron oil (limewater 

 and linseed oil, equal parts) is a standard remedy, but a modification 

 of it known as Stahl's liniment is perhaps better; this liniment is com- 

 posed of linseed oil and limewater each 200 parts, bicarbonate soda 

 100 parts, and thymol 1 part. This liniment should be applied freely 

 to the scorched surface and covered with a layer of borated gauze or 

 absorbent cotton to protect it from the air. Renew the application 

 frcqucntl}'. Carbolated vaseline may be used in place of the above. 

 In case the burn is more extensive, the following solution may be 

 used: Picric acid 2 parts, alcohol 40 parts, water 400 parts. The 

 lesion should be thoroughl}^ cleansed with this solution used on absorb- 

 ent cotton. The vesicles, if any appear, should be opened with a 

 clean needle, allowing the skin to remain. Strips of gauze or absorb- 

 ent cotton saturated with the solution should now be applied and 

 renewed onh'^ occasionally. In burns of the second and third degrees 

 more satisfactory results maj^ be obtained with uonpoisonous drj-- 

 dressing powder, such as is used in ordinary open wounds, as tannic 

 acid 8 parts and iodoform 1 part, or a salve made of this powder and 

 a sufficient quantity of vaseline. When sloughing of the tissues takes 

 place the wounds should be cleansed with a warm 3 per cent solution 

 of carbolic acid, all loose fragments of tissue removed, and either a 



