The Scientific American cyclopedia of formulas : partly based upon the twenty-eighth edition of Scientific American cyclopedia of receipts, notes and queries 15,000 formulas / edited by Albert A. Hopkins.
- Albert A. Hopkins
- Date:
- 1910
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The Scientific American cyclopedia of formulas : partly based upon the twenty-eighth edition of Scientific American cyclopedia of receipts, notes and queries 15,000 formulas / edited by Albert A. Hopkins. Source: Wellcome Collection.
20/1096 page 6
![(Burns and Scalds) place, and death of the entire body ensues from the absence of arterial blood. There are several varieties of asphyxia : (1) Asphyxia from submersion in water or other fluids, as in ordinary drowning; (2) asphyxia from mechanical causes, as by strangulation or hanging, or from foreign bodies in the windpipe or its ap¬ proaches; (3) asphyxia by inhalation of gases, known as suffocation; (4) asphyxia from torpor of the medulla oblongata (an important portion of the brain at the junction of the spinal cord and what is called the brain) produced by the intro¬ duction into the blood of certain poisons. For treatment see the specific cause of asphyxiation. Burns and Scalds. When the clothing catches fire, throw the person on the floor or ground, so that the flames will not rise toward the mouth and nostrils. Then without a moment’s delay roll the person on the carpet, or, if possible, in a hearth-rug, so as to stifle the flames. If no rug can be had, use your coat. Keep the flame as much as possible from the face, so as to prevent the entrance of the hot air into the lungs. This can be done by beginning at the neck and shoulders with the wrapping. If the burn or scald involves consider¬ able surface, symptoms of shock, varying from mere weakness to utter prostration, appear. This requires immediate atten¬ tion, and a few drops of aromatic spirits of ammonia in water or a little brandy should be given, and repeated in a few moments until the return of strength is apparent. A burn, superficial as far as depth is concerned but covering a large surface, especially in the case of small children and aged people, is usually con¬ sidered more serious than a burn smaller in extent but deeper and more complete. If there is reason to suppose that hot air or steam has been inhaled, no time should be lost in obtaining the opinion of a phy¬ sician as to the result of the injury to the throat or lungs. Treatment.—The burned surface should be cleansed carefully by allowing water to trickle over it. The skin over a blister should not be cut off, but should be snipped with scissors near the edge, and the water gently squeezed out. This al¬ lows the skin to remain as a protective. If the blister re-forms, it may be neces¬ sary to repeat this operation. If the burn or scald is slight in charac¬ ter, one of the best applications is the cold-water dressing, keeping the linens used constantly wet. (Burns by Lime) In more severe cases a very good appli¬ cation is carron oil, which is a mixture of linseed oil and limewater in equal parts. Sweet oil alone is very good. Vaseline, with a little boric acid rubbed up with it, is also very soothing. Lard and baking soda mixed will relieve pain. Wheat flour is often dusted over the burn; but this hardens with the discharges, and is of as little comfort as an application of small crusts of bread would be to the injured part. Cotton wool (carded cotton, cotton batting) is often used, but the fibers be¬ come imbedded in the discharges, and then cannot be detached without pain and dis¬ turbance of the wound. Talcum powder or fullers’ earth is very useful as a dry¬ ing powder after the blister has been cut or any of the skin has become detached. If the burn or scald, particularly the latter, is superficial in character, a simple and useful dressing is the application, with a brush or a soft wisp of old muslin, of the white of egg to the injury. As soon as the first layer dries, another should be applied. A lather of soap from the shaving-cup, applied with the brush in the same way, is often followed by im¬ mediate relief. These substances protect the irritated nerves beneath from the ac¬ tion of the air. If a physician has been sent for, it is better not to make any domestic appli¬ cations, except cold water, to the burned parts. They may prevent his using those better adapted, and keep him from form¬ ing a correct estimate of the real extent of the injuries. If there is much shock and depression, stimulants will be needed, such as aro¬ matic spirits of ammonia, brandy or whis¬ key. If there is much pain, laudanum can be given, five drops every two or three hours, until four or five doses have been administered. Burns by Acid.—Sulphuric Acid (Oil of Vitriol), Nitric Acid (Aqua Fortis), Etc. As alkalies destroy the living tissues with which they come in contact, so will acids of sufficient concentration. In such cases application of water will dilute them beyond their capacity to injure. Alkalies neutralize acids, and cooking soda, wash¬ ing soda or saleratus can be used for this purpose. Common earth, gathered almost anywhere, applied in handfuls, usually contains alkali enough to be of value. Burns by Lime, Caustic Potash, and Other Alkalies. As a rule, these are troublesome, since [6]](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b31361523_0020.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
