CARBON DIOXIDE 57 



kindle a fire ; but as the heat is retained and accumulated., the 

 temperature rises, and finally the kindling point is reached and 

 the whole mass bursts into flames. For safety's sake, all oily 

 cloths should be burned or kept in metal vessels. 



The treatment of burns. In spite of great caution, burns 

 from fires, steam, or hot water do sometimes occur, and it is 

 well to know how to relieve the suffering caused by them and 

 how to treat the injury in order to secure rapid healing. 



Burns are dangerous because they destroy skin and open 

 up an entrance into the body for disease germs ; and also be- 

 cause they lay bare nerve tissue which thereby becomes irri- 

 tated and causes a shock to the system. 



In mild burns, where the skin is not broken but is merely red- 

 dened, an application of moist baking soda brings immediate 

 relief. If this substance is not available, flour paste, lard, 

 sweet oil, or vaseline may be used. 



In more severe burns, where blisters are formed, the blisters 

 should be punctured with a sharp, sterilized needle and allowed 

 to discharge their watery contents before the above remedies 

 are applied. 



In burns severe enough to destroy the skin, disinfection of 

 the open wound with weak carbolic acid or hydrogen peroxide 

 is very necessary. After this has been done, a soft cloth soaked 

 in a solution of linseed oil and Jimewater should be applied 

 and the whole bandaged. In such a case, it is important not 

 to use cotton batting, since this sticks to the rough surface 

 and causes pain when removed. 



Carbon dioxide. A product of burning. When any fuel, 

 such as coal, gas, oil, or wood, burns, it sends forth gases into 

 the surrounding atmosphere. These gases, like air, are in- 

 visible, and were unknown for a long time. The chief gas 

 formed by a burning substance is called carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) 

 because it is composed of one part of carbon and two parts 



