Citation

Rosenberg L, Mahler D. Burns 1981; 7(4): 275-285.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It is imperative to start and maintain an extensive national education program in our county for all classes, teaching them how to prevent burns, as well as simple and unharmful principles of first-aid. We think that the burn-unit staff is best equipped for this educational program, and while teaching they themselves learn to understand, and develop a mutual respect for, their future patients.



Two groups of burned patients are presented in this report. First, where thermal or chemical burns were applied for various kinds of diseases or pains, and secondly, where burned patients were treated by quite a large range of popular medicines, some of them being dangerous and harmful. Obtaining an accurate history from the patient is very important, otherwise one can easily end with a total confusion and misdiagnosis. In the first group, the history-taking aims at establishing the origin of the underlying disease, and in the second it aims to be alert for possible wound contamination.



It would be helpful if the Medical Center's staff could have some knowledge of the manners, culture and habits of the population it serves in order to be aware of their various folkloristic treatments and not to overlook them.