Where There Is No Doctor 2011 97
Special Precautions for Very Serious Burns
Any person who has been badly burned can easily go into shock (see p. 77)
because of combined pain, fear, and the loss of body fluids from the oozing burn.
Comfort and reassure the burned person. Give him aspirin or acetaminophen for
the pain and codeine if you can get it. Bathing open wounds in slightly salty water
also helps calm pain. Put 1 teaspoon of salt for each liter of cool, boiled water.
Give the burned person plenty of liquid. If the burned area is large (more than
twice the size of his hand), make up the following drink:
To a liter of water add:
half a teaspoon of salt
and half a teaspoon of
bicarbonate of soda.
Also put in 2 or 3 tablespoons of sugar or honey and some orange or lemon
juice if possible.
The burned person should drink this as often as possible, especially until he
urinates frequently. He should try to drink 4 liters a day for a large burn, and 12 liters
a day for a very large burn.
It is important for persons who are badly burned to eat foods rich in protein
(see p. 110). No type of food needs to be avoided.
Burns around the Joints
When someone is badly burned
between the fingers, in the armpit, or at
other joints, gauze pads with Vaseline
on them should be put between the
burned surfaces to prevent them from
growing together as they heal. Also,
fingers, arms, and legs should be
straightened completely several times
a day while healing. This is painful
but helps prevent stiff scars that limit
movement. While the burned hand is
healing, the fingers should be kept in
a slightly bent position.
sterile
gauze
pads with
Vaseline