Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume III.djvu/480

4:74 BURNS AND SCALDS of the injury, the vitality and the sensibility of the parts atf'ected, must all be duly weighed in estimating the severity and the danger of an accident in any given case of burn or scald. In ordinary burns and scalds the immediate seat of injury is the skin or the external surface, one of the most vital parts of the frame. The skin is a highly organized membrane, endowed with acute sensibility. Burns and scalds, there- fore, are more dangerous in proportion to the amount of surface involved than in proportion to the depths attained in a limited extent, for the outer layers are the most highly organized and sensitive parts of the cutaneous system. The outermost of all, however, the epidermis, being a mere coat of horny varnish, is the least sensitive ; and where the injury is slight and altogether superficial, though extensive, the mischief is but trifling at first, and may be easily remedied ; although unpleasant compli- cations may ensue if the superficial injury is neglected, and the parts beneath are long ex- posed to the action of the air, which causes irritation, pain, and inflammation. When the injury to the skin is so serious and extensive as to arrest the physiological action of this organ over a great part of its surface, this fact alone is usually sufficient to produce a fatal result. The suffering and shock to the nervous system, when sensibility has not been completely dead- ened, combine to make the condition of the Eatient after severe burns or scalds almost opeless ; but the worst cases might often be avoided by a little knowledge and self-posses- sion on the part of the sufferer at the time of the accident, and a fatal contingency be trans- formed into a temporary injury. Where the body is enveloped in flames, from the clothes being on fire, the first thing to be done is to lie down on the floor and roll the carpet or a rug, or any cloth or garment, closely round the body, so as to exclude the air from the burning dress, and thus put out the flame. Or, lie down at once and roll the body over the burn- ing clothes, calling to some one near to throw a blanket or a cloth of any sort, wet or dry, or water, over you as you lie on the floor, stifling the burning clothes between your body and the ground. If the clothes of a child or a grown person near you should take fire, pursue the same method. The upright position is the worst, being favorable to the spread of the flames, and allowing them to reach the upper and most vital portions of the body, trunk, head, face, and neck. Fright causes children to run to and fro for help, and this increases the currents of surrounding air, and helps the flame to spread. Merely hugging the child rapidly and closely in your arms, and rolling slowly on the floor with it, enveloping the flaming part with any portion of your own dress, will stifle out the air and flame together. Presence of mind alone suffices. In every case, and under all conditions, the main thing to be done at first is to stifle the flames by shutting out the air. When the accident has happened, BURNSIDE tlie burned or scalded parts should be immersed at once in cold water, or enveloped in wet cloths, or in dry cotton, or in flour, bran, or oiled muslin, or anything which is convenient to keep out the air from the injured surface of the skin. Immersion in cold water is the best, where it is practicable ; because it not only shuts off the air, but causes a rapid rush of temperature from the injured tissues to the cold water, analogous' to the violent rush of heat from the burning or scalding medium to the skin in the first instance, though in an oppo- site direction ; and this inverse action soothes the nerves of sense, and thus answers the first requirement by diminishing the shock to the whole system from intensity of pain. Some persons recommend stimulating lotions of brandy or spirits of wine, oil of turpentine, or vinegar, kept on the injured parts by means of lint, cotton, or old linen soaked in the liquid ; others prefer soap and water, with or without creosote ; and much difference of opinion exists with regard to the best means. An oil-skin, a soapy film, a coat of simple ointment, of cotton wool, or of flour, or anything which will ex- clude the air and not irritate the injured parts, will serve the purpose very well ; and all the theories about peculiar modes of action in the various stimulating substances are more or less, it would appear, imaginary adjuncts to the sim- ple fact of keeping out the air. When the pain has been arrested by the action of cold water, a delicate soap-and-water film upon the injured parts, surrounded by an oil-skin, or a layer of cotton wool, and bandaged carefully to keep the application in its place, are all that is re- quired in ordinary cases of burns and scalds, until medical assistance is procured. BURNSIDE, Ambrose Everett, an American sol- dier, born at Liberty, Ind., May 23, 1824. He graduated at West Point in 1847, was stationed at Fort Adams, Newport, R. I., and subse- quently sent to New Mexico, where he com- manded a squadron of cavalry, and acted as quartermaster in the boundary commission, 1851-'2. Having invented a breech-loading rifle, he resigned his commission in 1853, and established a manufactory for its fabrication in Rhode Island. This proving unsuccessful, he became treasurer of the Illinois Central rail- road, at its office in New York. In 1861 he was appointed colonel of the 1st regiment of Rhode Island volunteers, which marched to Washington four days after the issuing of the call by the president. He commanded a brigade at the battle of Bull Run, after which he was made brigadier general. In January, 1862, he was placed in command of an expedition to North Carolina, and captured Roanoke island, New Berne, and Beaufort. He was recalled at the close of the campaign on the peninsula, and ordered to Fredericksburg, where he remained until after the defeat of Pope at the second battle of Bull Run. During the confederate invasion of Maryland Burnside was placed un- der the command of McClellan, gained the bat-