[Treatment of burns]

Because of the unsatisfactory results hitherto achieved in the bactericidal and bacteriostatic local therapy of burns, Betaisodona ointment was tested and, in view of its good effect, put to further therapeutic use. The advantages of the preparation, apart from the good local tolerance and absence of effect on metabolism, are the good bactericidal and tanning effects on the wound eschar. In no case were smearing coats observed; the necrotic skin remained dry and firm. Except in two patients with second degree burns, epithelization was not influenced by clinically visible infection. In third degree burns accumulation of exudate in the zone of demarcation was only observed in two cases. Bacteriological examinations of the wound surface revealed sterility in several cases; in the other patients the bacterial count did not exceed 10(5)/cm2. In view of the comparative tests, this result must be considered very positive. The above trial has, however, not made use of all testing possibilities. In further studies an iodine absorption test for determining the penetration depth as well as a bacterial count in the tissue will be developed. Furthermore the use of Betaisodona solution for instillation in the zone of demarcation will be examined.