No abstract

The causes of serious domestic scald injuries in Birmingham were studied for one year. Seventy-eight people sustained such scalds, 11 adults and 67 children. Only 51 of the patients received satisfactory first aid. Most accidents could have been avoided and the severity of the injury would have been less if appropriate first aid had been given.

A preliminary report of a trial of Silastic gel in the treatment of patients with hypertrophic bum scars.

In this study the incidence of injury caused by kettle scalds among patients admitted to a large burns unit was investigated retrospectively over a 49-year period, 1944-1993. For the first 30 years the incidence was found to be constant. Since then, there has been a marked increase in the number of kettle scalds to children. This is attributed to changes in kettle design and wider availability of electric kettles. The nature of the problem is discussed together with suggestions for remedial action.

A study of burn injuries in one burns unit showed that many of the patients did not receive effective first aid. Seventy-one patients were asked about the first aid they had received at the time of injury. The results were disappointing: fewer than half the patients had had cold water applied to the injured area at the time of the accident. Cold water is usually available; it is a simple and effective measure and has the twofold effect of lessening both pain and the depth of tissue injury. Children injured at home received better first aid than adults injured either at home or in the workplace. This study indicated that better education and more precise information is required if burn-injured patients are to receive appropriate care at the time of injury.