The mischief which arises from this accident is owing to the party
standing in an erect position, because flame ascends, and feeds
and accumulates in intensity during its ascent. The first remedy
is, therefore, to lay the child or other person on the floor, in
which position the flames will not only make no progress, but will
do little or no harm to the person. The fatal consequences of this
accident arise from the ascent of the flame to the throat, head, and
sensitive organs, an effect which cannot take place if the body is
instantly placed in an horizontal position. Sir Richard Phillips,
who first promulgated this treatment, proved its efficacy by taking
two strips of muslin, a yard long, and one of them, which was set
on fire at the end, and held perpendicularly, burnt out with an
intense flame in less than half a minute; but the other piece, laid
hollow and horizontally, on being set on fire at the end, burnt even
with difficulty, and twenty minutes elapsed before it was entirely
consumed; the flame at the same time being inconsiderable and
harmless.
After the person on fire has been laid horizontally, the best method
of extinguishing the fire, is an immediate covering of any kind,
and when every spark has been extinguished, spirits and water, or
vinegar and water, should be applied to affected parts till the pain
is removed. Adult females, whose clothes take fire, should have the
presence of mind instantly to throw themselves on the floor, and in
that case, no serious injury can ever arise, and if this precaution
were generally known, many families would have been relieved from the
unavailing affliction of the loss of dear connexions, and from the
heart-rending scenes which, under other circumstances, they have been
fated to witness.