University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
General Treatment
Classification
General Treatment
Accession Number
1969.55.11
Description
A 16-oz. rectangular dark wax block of Ambrine wax dressing with rounded corners; in original cardboard packaging which is open at both ends so that the contents are visible.
A 16-oz. rectangular dark wax block of Ambrine wax dressing with rounded corners; in original cardboard packaging which is open at both ends so that the contents are visible.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source: Dr. Harold DeWitt Ball.
On front of packaging: "16 OUNCES // AMBRINE // TRADE MARK REGISTERED U.S. PATENT OFFICE // THE FIRST AND ONLY WAX DRESSING // ORIGINATED, DEVELOPED AND SUCCESSFULLY // USED BY // DOCTEUR BARTHE DE SANDFORT // A PROTECTIVE DRESSING // ASEPTIC // NON-ADHESIVE // NON-IRRITATING // PLIABLE AND PLASTIC // FOR // BURNS OF ANY CAUSE // Physicians are also using Ambrine // with marked success in the // treatment of skin inhuries // caused by intense cold and for cuts, // lacerations and indolent wounds // AMBRINE LABORATORIES // 347 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK"; on side: " AMBRINE TREATMENT REDUCES THE CONVALESCENT PERIOD, LESSENS THE // BLEMISHES AND SKIN CONTRACTIONS; SKIN GRAFTING IS SELDOM NECESSARY"; on back: "AMBRINE // AMBRINE is a combination of select - // ed paraffins and resinous gums combined // by a scientific process. It becomes liquid // at about 49'C. (180' F). and is applied // to open wounds at about 60'C (140'F), or as warm as can be tolerated. // This particular dressing serves as a // sealed poultice by which heat is applied // and retained to ensure the most favorable // conditions for Nature's process of repair. // AMBRINE does not adhere to the // wound, and the dressing is easily re- // moved without pain, hemmorrhage or // destruction of the newly regenerated // tissues, thereby promoting the healing // processes without appreciable contrac- // ing cicatrices or functional disability. // AMBRINE is sufficiently elastic and // plastic, and adjusts itself to the injured // surfaces, and after the first twinge of // pain this method alliviates the suffering // and distress of the patient. // AMBRINE is used by // The Fighting Forces of the Allies"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-B4-6
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Dimension Notes
Length 19.0 cm x Width 12.7 cm x Depth 2.7 cm
Condition Remarks
#1: Cardboard packaging ripped and stained by oil from the wax; #3: the package is torn.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Reference Comments
Bundy, Elizabeth Roxana. Surgical Nursing in War. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1917.; Churchill, Mary Smith. You Who Can Help. Boston: Small, Maynard and Company, 1918.; Hull, A. J. "The Treatment Of Burns By Paraffin." British Medical Journal 1.2924 (1917): 37-38.; Keen, William W. The Treatment of War Wounds. Philadelphia and London: W.B. Saunders Company, 1917.; Stuart-Nairne, Margaret. “Inventions I Have Seen During the War.” The British Journal of Nursing. 62 (1919): 329
Research Facts
Ambrine is a paraffin wax mixture developed by Doctor Barthe de Sandfort of France to treat burns. Though developed more than a decade earlier, its use was popularized during World War I due to the increase in burn patients as compared to previous wars. It was also used to treat other instances of deep tissue damage such as frostbite or trench foot.
Application involved several steps. First, the burn is sterilized by being washed with one or a combination of sterile water, hydrogen peroxide, ether, or boric acid. Then the burn needs to be dried completely before the mixture can be applied, which can be accomplished by fanning or by laying a piece of gauze over the wound. A thin coating of melted ambrine is then applied to the site either using a soft-bristled brush or an atomizer. This is covered with a thin layer of cotton wool cut to the size of the burn. Another layer of ambrine is applied on top of this, and once it hardens a bandage is applied to hold the dressing in place. Burns would be dressed daily, or every second day later in treatment.
Ambrine was popular due to the rapidity with which burns healed, the reduced need for skin grafting, the lack of infection due to the air-tight dressing and reduced scarring.
Exhibit History
On-site exhibit: "Trench Menders: Health Care in the First World War," 25 Feb, 2015.