PEDIATRICS Vol. 47 No. 6 June 1971, pp. 1028
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COMPLETE RECOVERY, AS REPORTED IN 1849, OF A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY FROM A FULL-THICKNESS BURN OF MORE THAN HALF HIS BODY SURFACE

T. E. C. Jr. M.D.

The case report cited below, published in 1849, of the recovery of a 16-year-old-boy from an extensive, full-thickness burn of his body adds further support to one of the oldest adages of medicine–namely faith in the vis mediatrix naturae, or as Hippocrates expressed it: "Nature is the healer of disease."

The most extensive burn ending in complete recovery that I have read of, is described by Mr. Grantham. A youth sixteen years of age, was burnt to the following extent by the explosion of some fireworks. From the upper and fore part of the neck, extending laterally down the left arm to the insertion of the deltoid; occupying both axillae; passing backwards to within three inches of the spines of the vertebrae; over the chest, body, and genitals, to the verge of the anus; extending along the upper part of the right thigh, and down the left thigh to the knee; destroying the cuticle, rete mucosum, and corium. The whole measured above six hundred superficial inches; and averaged a quarter of an inch in depth. The subcutaneous structure was completely lost, so that the arteries and veins were seen, as if neatly dissected, lying on the surface of the muscles and the fascia. The treatment consisted in freely giving opium, in well supporting the strength, in properly protecting the wound, and in the external and internal use of antiseptics. Three months after the accident, the patient had a sphacelated wound over the sacrum; four months after this, an attack of bronchitis; and two years subsequently– when he had improved so as to be able to walk a short distance–a severe attack of erysipelas.