EXPERIMENTAL BURNS

Abstract

There is still much diversity of opinion as to the mechanism of production of the clinical picture in the early stages of heat burns. Wilson 1 divided the effects of severe burns into four stages: (1) primary shock, (2) secondary shock, (3) septic toxemia and (4) healing. There is considerable difference in the way various authors define primary shock; some separate it from secondary shock by the time factor and others by the difference in the causative mechanism. Using a time definition, Blalock 2 stated: Primary shock, or collapse, refers to the condition in which a decline in the blood pressure and the appearance of the symptoms of shock are noted immediately following the injury. In secondary shock, the time interval separating the injury and the appearance of symptoms is usually an hour or more. In some instances primary shock may progress into the secondary type. Wilson stated: Initial shock