Reflection of the problem «Burns» in the publications of Russian surgeons in the XIX – early XX centuries

In modern scientific literature, the opinion is firmly established: «... a systematic study of burn injury in our country began in the mid-30s of the XX century». How historically accurate is it? This fact determined the relevance of the study of the Russian medical periodicals on the topic «Burns» for the period of the XIX – early XX centuries. The obtained data testify to the active work of Russian specialists not only in the study of the peculiarities of local and general manifestations of burn injury, but also in the development of diagnostic and treatment methods. They collected and analyzed the statistics of burns of various etiologies, under various conditions of human life, and also carried out experimental work. They published the obtained results in various medical publications: newspapers, magazines, manuals, encyclopedias, etc., which were published on the territory of the Russian Empire. Our doctors have formulated a number of fundamental conclusions that are not disputed by anyone in the 21st century. For example: even superficial first-degree burns, manifested only by hyperemia and moderate edema of the skin, with a large lesion area can lead to death, in contrast to skin inflammatory diseases characterized by similar local manifestations and proceeding relatively favorably for the general condition of a person. In addition, it became clear that the pathology under consideration should be treated by a doctor who knows its features and optimal treatment methods. Otherwise, long-term wounds can be fatal at a time when the threat to the victim’s life seemed to have passed. Experimental studies conducted since the middle of the 19th century have not only strengthened the evidence base of research works, contributed to the writing and defense of thematic dissertations, and had a significant impact on the scientifically grounded development of new methods of treatment.

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