SEVERE BURNS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1932, Page 2

SEVERE BURNS

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT. MEDICAL MEN INTERESTED. AUCKLAND, December 19. A recovery which is exciting keen medical interest; in Auckland has been made by L. G. Fyfe, of Penrose, who was terribly burned., live weeks ago through, coming into contact- with a conductor carrying 50,000 volts at the Government electric power s.uh-station at Penrose. Fyfe was not expected to live, but lie was-given, a newly-discov-ered treatment, with a result that the burns are now practically healed. ; •'A few. years ago there would have been no hope for him, said an Auckland surgeon. It was always understood among medical men that if onethird of the body was burned, even mildly, it was extremely likely that death would occur, but this man had fully half of his body, covered with burns of moderate severity. Now he has made a great recovery, and save for a certain amount of discoloratiori of the akin will probably he none the worse for his injuries. Fvfe, who is 29 years of age, was removing birds’ nests from the high tension structure in the station yard on November 14th. when, the accident occurred. Members of the staff heard a loud report, and saw a bright flflßli. and found him lying on thd ground fearfully burned. He fell 20ft. When the line was automatically opt off the, conductor was carrying 50,000 voltg, but it is estimated that only 30,000 volts would pass to earth. through his body, yet cases have occurred of peron being;killed by 230 volts.

SPRAYED WITH A SOLUTION OF tannic Acid. When Fyfe was removed to Auckland Hospital tlie doctors gave him a new treatment, which has been used in Auckland only during, the last , two or three years. The burned flesh was sprayed with a weak solution of tannic acid,' with a result that, the whole of the burned skill became tanned and" .'hardened. No' dressing was required. * ‘‘The features of this simple treatment;” said the doctor; “are that pain i s .'greatly diminished, and the .poisonous .substances that, ofter cause death are-neutralised by the acid. The scarfing that 'resultsofrom the burns is also diminished. v :;A, large .children’s hospital, in England, reports that the mortality from burns has been reduced 50 ; p er cent through/this treatment, and.l'know that excellent results are now. being obtained in this country.” Hei expressed the opinion that owing to 'the convenience and, simplicity of The treatment, flasks-containing tannic acid in the required solution should be kept everywhere that persons are exposed to burns. The solution was obtainable in ; Auckland made up in flanks, together with a simple spray. It might save great pain,, risk of permanent maiming; and even death if this remedy weje kept available.

CLOTHING CATCHES FIRE

TE' KUa'S?, December 21

Severe burns were received by Mr J, A. Nicol, a -grader driver for the Public, Works Department between Piopio and Te Kuiti, when hig clothing caught' fire, from the flames of some cotton waste, saturated in benzine, with which he had been cleaning them and 'had thrown into the fire in his hut. . 'Mr Nicol was taken to the Te Kuiti Hospital, where he is reported to be making satisfactory progress.