NationStates Jolt Archive

im watching this movie where this guy gets shot in the arm, and he makes a piece of pipe really hot and puts it on his wound. does this actually work? i dont get it, why would he want to burn himself?

im watching this movie where this guy gets shot in the arm, and he makes a piece of pipe really hot and puts it on his wound. does this actually work? i dont get it, why would he want to burn himself?

I think (not expert) that the heat kills infection, and possible seals the wound.

That is why in the second world war (and probably loads of other conflicts, and recently in a lost episode i think) soldiers would break open bullets, take out the powder and light it inside there cut, the bacteria in the cut dies, and the cut seals as it burns over. Very clever.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauterization

That is why in the second world war (and probably loads of other conflicts, and recently in a lost episode i think) soldiers would break open bullets, take out the powder and light it inside there cut, the bacteria in the cut dies, and the cut seals as it burns over. Very clever.

In the Napoleonic Wars, soldiers who didn't want to fight often used to eat some gunpowder as it turned the skin pale and made them sweat a lot, mimicking signs of fever.

That is why in the second world war (and probably loads of other conflicts, and recently in a lost episode i think) soldiers would break open bullets, take out the powder and light it inside there cut, the bacteria in the cut dies, and the cut seals as it burns over. Very clever.
I'm not sure how valid it is as an antiseptic method as bad burns themselves are very prone to becoming infected.

It cauterizes the wound and stops the bleeding(hadn't thought about it killing the bacteria too). Look at the movie Boondock saints, they use a regular Iron to do it. Also In Braveheart they do that with an Arrow wound, they heated a iron stick up in a fire and shoved it on the wound.



Oh and I'm going through Combat Lifesaver In about 2 weeks so I'll be able to add more on how to treat Combat Injuries. Only thing thats going to suck about that school is I have to stick an IV into someone and someone else that is a student has to stick me.

True, it cauterizes the wound, but in truth, it is not a reliable strategy unless it is your only means. Burning the wound will not prevent against infection, rather, increase your odds of an infection since you will be destroying tissues in the process.

When you receive a burn, you lose important fluids and electrolytes.....really bad. The gunshot wound itself is rather fatal depending on its location and often leads to excessive blood loss. The combination could just end your life.

The only time you should be self cauterizing wounds if you are out in goodness knows where and that it is your last option......otherwise, I suggest going to a hospital and let the professionals take care of it. ;)

In the Napoleonic Wars, soldiers who didn't want to fight often used to eat some gunpowder as it turned the skin pale and made them sweat a lot, mimicking signs of fever.
Wow, i need to get some gunpowder so i can get off scho.. i mean make a bom... i mean erm erm erm make a artistic picture. ;)

The purpose is primarily to stop the bleeding.

As far as killing bacteria, such short exposure would not cause a significant decrease in numbers. Closing the wound does more to prevent infection.

im watching this movie where this guy gets shot in the arm, and he makes a piece of pipe really hot and puts it on his wound. does this actually work? i dont get it, why would he want to burn himself?


sounds like one of the first blood movies. burning does seal the wound and kill infection. also stops bleeding so you dont bleed to death.

Yes, it's cauterisation of the wound. Also the reason why Jedi don't bleed much.