Burns

(burns). Any severe burn or scald is usually followed by collapse, and for this the nurse must watch. Congestion of the internal organs may follow if the patient rallies from the first shock. In changing the dre ings, only a small piece of the injured surface must be exposed to the air at once, hence the dre ing is usually in strips. Vaseline and boracic ointment, eucalyptus, carbolic or carron oil are some of the usual dre ings applied. In severe cases skin grafting may be nece ary. Most cases of burns run through three stages—(1) Shock, lasting 36 hours; (2) Fever, lasting 10 days; (3) Exhaustion, lasting 7 to 14 days. — s. 21 —