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Summary Thermal burn eschars were measured for water transmissivity in vivo and in vitro by means of a modified gas chromotograph at various times, post‐burn. Following an initial “acute” phase, it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between the ability of eschars to transmit water in vivo or in vitro. Eschars removed in the immediate post‐burn period that were incubated in Ringer's solution, in water, or in Ringer's solution containing Ouabain (50γ/cc) transmitted water at a rate equivalent to in situ, in vivo eschars at the same time, post‐burn. Replaced, autografted eschars functioned, in terms of water transmissions, as they had in situ originally. There was no statistical difference in water‐transmission rate between eschars measured in vitro on dry glass plates or on wet gauze. It was observed that suprainfection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not alter the transmission rate of eschars, nor the ability of eschars to mature (i.e. become maximally water‐retentive.) It is indicated that the sodium content of the sub‐eschar layer does not contribute to water retention or loss by the eschar. It is suggested that eschar is a protein‐water semi‐solid membrane that transmits water in direct proportion to its own state of hydration. The various observations in support of this thesis are presented and discussed. Based upon the thesis that eschar water retentivity is a nonphysiologic function of the bound‐water content of eschar protein, it is suggested that an approach to improving the ability of eschars to retain water to the body may be through the use of certain salts having hydrogen‐bonding properties.