In the treatment of burns, paraffin-impregnated gauze is the dressing most in vogue. A dressing, to be suitable, should be sterile, nonirritating and nonadherent, should facilitate drainage, and should promote granulation.
The more one is able to promote rapid healing and prevent infection, the less will be the formation of scar tissue.
When gelatin and formaldehyde are placed together, a rubber-like substance is formed, which is impervious to water. Many printing press rollers are made of this preparation.
A dressing that presents several advantages may be prepared by dipping gauze into a hot, dilute, aqueous solution of pure gelatin, drying it, and then treating with solution of formaldehyde U. S. P. of half strength, and finally washing and drying. The result is a gauze that is unaffected by moisture; it will not stick to a granulating surafce, and may be kept in a warm climate or sterilized in an autoclave.