ing, fine
wool, or carded cotton, and, in the default of these, violet powder,
flour, magnesia, or chalk. The object for which these several articles
are employed is the same in each instance; namely, to exclude the air
from the injured part; for if the air can be effectually shut out from
the raw surface, and care is taken not to expose the tender part till
the new cuticle is formed, the cure may be safely left to nature. The
moment a person is called to a case of scald or burn, he should cover
the part with a sheet, or a portion of a sheet, of wadding, taking care
not to break any blister that may have formed, or stay to remove any
burnt clothes that may adhere to the surface, but as quickly as possible
envelop every part of the injury from all access of the air, laying one
or two more pieces of wadding on the first, so as effectually to guard
the burn or scald from the irritation of the atmosphere; and if the
article used is wool or cotton, the same precaution, of adding more
material where the surface is thinly covered, must be adopted; a light
bandage finally securing all in their places. Any of the popular
remedies recommended below may be employed when neither wool, cotton,
nor wadding are to be procured, it being always remembered that that
article which will best exclude the air from a burn or scald is the
best, quickest, and least painful mode of treatment. And in this respect
nothing has surpassed cotton loose or attached to paper as in wadding.
If the Skin is Much Injured in burns, spread some linen pretty thickly
with chalk ointment, and lay over the part, and give the patient some
brandy and water if much exhausted; then send for a medical man. If not
much injured, and very painful, use the same ointment, or apply carded
cotton dipped in lime water and linseed oil. If you please, you may lay
cloths dipped in ether over the parts, or cold lotions. Treat scalds in
same manner, or cover with scraped raw potato; but the chalk ointment is
the best. In the absence of all these, cover the injured part with
treacle, and dust over it plenty of flour.
BODY IN FLAMES--Lay the person down on the floor of the room, and throw
the table cloth, rug, or other large cloth over him, and roll him on the
floor.
DIRT IN THE EYE--Place your forefinger upon the cheek-bone, having the
patient before you; then slightly bend the finger, this will draw down
the lower lid of the eye, and you will probably be able to remove the
d
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