Assault inflicted by hot water

Assault inflicted by hot water is uncommon although such injuries have been reported from many parts of the world. The patient characteristics, burn distribution and outcome in 127 patients who had been intentionally assaulted with hot water during a 7 1/2 year period are reported. More than half of the males were assaulted by their wives. The female was often assaulted by her spouse or another family member. Most patients came from lower socioeconomic groups. The average burn surface area was 13.7 per cent (range 1-45 per cent). The upper part of the body was much more frequently burned than the pelvic and lower limb areas (12 per cent). Males (94) were assaulted more commonly than females (33). Eighty-four patients suffered partial skin thickness burns requiring debridement and skin grafting. The average hospital stay was 17 days (range 1-61 days). Upper body hot water burns in adults should raise the possibility of assault in the minds of attending medical personnel, especially where predisposing factors exist (alcohol abuse, lower socioeconomic strata, poor education). Most patients sustain partial skin thickness burns and will require debridement and grafting. Psychosocial factors require investigation and professional intervention.