The purpose of this paper is to point out the findings at necropsy in fatal cases of extensive superficial burns, and the bearings of these findings on the causative factors in the production of symptoms and death.
Although much has recently been written on the treatment of superficial burns, little has been reported in recent years on the pathology. Divergent views are held as to the cause of the symptoms following extensive superficial burns, and as to the cause of death in the fatal cases. The clinical manifestations have been interpreted by some as indicating shock produced by extreme affection of the nervous system, and by others as indicating profound toxemia.
The results of the experimental work have been rather contradictory and inconclusive. Some of the experimental work points to the existence of a toxin acting in the body after extensive burning of the skin, some to loss of function