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The management of mass burn casualties and fire disasters
544
Printed in Great Britain
Burns (1993) 19, (6), 544
Book Reviews
The Management of Mass Burn Casualties and Fire Disasters. M. Masellis and S. W. A. GLUUI.Pp. 339. 1992. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Hardback, E82.00 Bum specialists have been continually improving burn care in mass casualty situations. Simultaneously, various levels of the community have been mobilizing fire prevention and fire fighting mechanisms to protect society from the ever-increasing hazards of fire disasters. For the very first time all persons concerned with burns therapy and fire safety in all forms were brought together in the first International Conference on Burns and Fire Disasters, held on 25-28 September 1990, in Palermo, Italy. The meeting, organized and conducted by the Mediterranean Bums Club, resulted in the present book. The variety of topics presented at the conference was striking and the proceedings cover most major aspects of mass burn casualties and fire disasters. In Sections I and II analyses are presented of different kinds of disasters such as fires in urban areas, in high-risk industries, in port and on board ship, domestic fires in Third World countries and forest fires. In Section III detailed guidelines for immediate care of burn victims are presented as well as health education and postgraduate training in disaster medicine. Also organization of safety and fire prevention, risks and protection of personnel are mentioned. Section IV, one-third of the book, is titled ‘Fire disaster management’ and covers most aspects of planning of search and rescue work. Civil defence and military organizations in disaster situations, air evacuations of victims as well as telematic databank of bums and satellite system networks are also discussed. The last two sections comprise ‘Clinical burn problems’ and ‘information, communication, national and international organizations’, respectively. Most important are the presentations of the role of the mass media, burns prevention campaign and the role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations. The present book stresses a number of principles, including the concept that preparedness for disasters is possible, that disasters have recognizable epidemiological profiles, and that sectorial and international planning are essential for effective action. It is a well-informed book specially recommended to all medical personnel engaged in the care of mass bum casualties as well as those dealing with fires as a societal disaster-management problem. G. Ahrson
0 1993 Butterworth-Heinemann 0305-4179/93/060544-01
Ltd
A Colour Atlas of Burn Injuries. John A. Clarke. Pp. 120. 1992. London: Chapman & Hall Medical. Hardback f 49.95. The author states in his preface that the study of burns lends itself well to visual representation and this volume amply justifies his claim. The illustrations are excellent, emphasizing the points made in the text, and allow a ‘short interesting text’. They are of far greater value than any amount of description. There are not many books on burn care with a British orientation and this volume therefore is of particular value to those working in the UK. It would make a good introduction to the problem for junior medical staff joining a burn unit, and prepare paramedical staff for the horror of burn injury. Perhaps it should also be prescribed reading for those who make decisions about provision of patient care, most of whom are totally ignorant of the bum problem. There are some criticisms. The diagram of the pathophysiological changes on page 2 is difficult to interpret. The charts for estimation of extent could be misleading, and the isolation of the illustrations from the text can, on occasion, be irritating, especially where it involves more than one page. There should have been acknowledgement of the authors of the resuscitation formulae. The modem emphasis on early closure of the burn wound might have made it more appropriate to present the section on surgery (pages 69-91) before that on complications Duplication of information does occur mainly in the sections on hand care, splinting and pressure garments. The reference section is presented in an original way and would make a good starting point for those requiring wider knowledge or additional reference material. For a volume with such a profusion of colour illustrations the price presents good value for money. Anne B. Sutherland
Printed in Great Britain
Burns (1993) 19, (6), 544
Book Reviews
The Management of Mass Burn Casualties and Fire Disasters. M. Masellis and S. W. A. GLUUI.Pp. 339. 1992. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Hardback, E82.00 Bum specialists have been continually improving burn care in mass casualty situations. Simultaneously, various levels of the community have been mobilizing fire prevention and fire fighting mechanisms to protect society from the ever-increasing hazards of fire disasters. For the very first time all persons concerned with burns therapy and fire safety in all forms were brought together in the first International Conference on Burns and Fire Disasters, held on 25-28 September 1990, in Palermo, Italy. The meeting, organized and conducted by the Mediterranean Bums Club, resulted in the present book. The variety of topics presented at the conference was striking and the proceedings cover most major aspects of mass burn casualties and fire disasters. In Sections I and II analyses are presented of different kinds of disasters such as fires in urban areas, in high-risk industries, in port and on board ship, domestic fires in Third World countries and forest fires. In Section III detailed guidelines for immediate care of burn victims are presented as well as health education and postgraduate training in disaster medicine. Also organization of safety and fire prevention, risks and protection of personnel are mentioned. Section IV, one-third of the book, is titled ‘Fire disaster management’ and covers most aspects of planning of search and rescue work. Civil defence and military organizations in disaster situations, air evacuations of victims as well as telematic databank of bums and satellite system networks are also discussed. The last two sections comprise ‘Clinical burn problems’ and ‘information, communication, national and international organizations’, respectively. Most important are the presentations of the role of the mass media, burns prevention campaign and the role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations. The present book stresses a number of principles, including the concept that preparedness for disasters is possible, that disasters have recognizable epidemiological profiles, and that sectorial and international planning are essential for effective action. It is a well-informed book specially recommended to all medical personnel engaged in the care of mass bum casualties as well as those dealing with fires as a societal disaster-management problem. G. Ahrson
0 1993 Butterworth-Heinemann 0305-4179/93/060544-01
Ltd
A Colour Atlas of Burn Injuries. John A. Clarke. Pp. 120. 1992. London: Chapman & Hall Medical. Hardback f 49.95. The author states in his preface that the study of burns lends itself well to visual representation and this volume amply justifies his claim. The illustrations are excellent, emphasizing the points made in the text, and allow a ‘short interesting text’. They are of far greater value than any amount of description. There are not many books on burn care with a British orientation and this volume therefore is of particular value to those working in the UK. It would make a good introduction to the problem for junior medical staff joining a burn unit, and prepare paramedical staff for the horror of burn injury. Perhaps it should also be prescribed reading for those who make decisions about provision of patient care, most of whom are totally ignorant of the bum problem. There are some criticisms. The diagram of the pathophysiological changes on page 2 is difficult to interpret. The charts for estimation of extent could be misleading, and the isolation of the illustrations from the text can, on occasion, be irritating, especially where it involves more than one page. There should have been acknowledgement of the authors of the resuscitation formulae. The modem emphasis on early closure of the burn wound might have made it more appropriate to present the section on surgery (pages 69-91) before that on complications Duplication of information does occur mainly in the sections on hand care, splinting and pressure garments. The reference section is presented in an original way and would make a good starting point for those requiring wider knowledge or additional reference material. For a volume with such a profusion of colour illustrations the price presents good value for money. Anne B. Sutherland