Ladies' Column.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1872, 5 July 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Ladies' Column.

Cold Water Cube for Burns.— A correspondent writes : — Many years ago I scalded one hand very badly with boiling water, and I found the pain stopped on keeping the hand in cold running water. I repeatedly took the hand from the water to let it be dressed with the usual remedies, but every attempt simply ended in the bandages being pulled off and fresh application of the cold water. Under every other remedy the pain was unbearable. In this instance blisters did not form, but a small open sore came on the wrist and kept open several weeks. I used the water continuously for four or five hours until the pain was greatly reduced on removing the hand from the cold water. I treasured this experience and gave the remedy another trial in a far more unequivocal case. I was boiling glycerine and gelatine for a hectograph, and the composition was about free from water when the bottom of the vessel blew out and the composition went over my hands. There was no mistake about the temperature, as the ■ «jkin was destroyed superficially. The Bhock produced intense nausea and I made up my mind to expect very bad hands and the loss of several nails. .1 applied cold water at once. The water not being very cool I added pieces of ice to it. After five ersixhours' treatment, the pain did not recur on stopping the treatment. Neither hand was disabled, and the only inconvenience I suffered was from a few trifling blisters. I have no hesitation whatever in condemning the usualremedies, and in recommending the prolonged application of cold water. I think it probable many lives have been sacrificed by an adhesion to the .old remedies, for the pain of a large burn or scald is so severe as to do serious" mischief if prolonged for hours. The use of cold water is recommended in a little medical book by a Dr. Bussel. He recommends the addition of soda to the water. A plentiful supply of cold water agitated and* ohangedif necessary so as to atop the pain, will, I am convinced, prevent the mischief of whioh tbo pain is a symptom.