Thermal injury and the sodium, potassium and water exchanges of skin.

A number of changes in tissue content of Na, K and water are known to occur after injury. In order to elucidate the exact sequence of these changes, experiments were made on explants of guinea-pig flank skin maintained in vitro. This work explores some techniques using explants subjected to graded thermal injury (37 degrees-50 degrees). Stages of increasing damage were identified as higher temperatures were applied and these could be related to the developing changes in cation and water contents. This study is intended to explore a number of possible methods for use in a complete in vitro model to investigate particular problems and events associated with severe trauma.