“AMBRINE” AND PARAFFIN FILMS[H]

Paul Nicholas Leech, Ph.D.

In the last year or so, the hot-wax or paraffin treatment of burns has been widely discussed both in medical and lay periodicals. Although the treatment is simply a modification of the well-known use of oil and ointments, it has received unusual attention, owing to the widespread sensationalism following the exploitation in France of a secret and therefore mysterious mixture, “Ambrine,” the formula of Dr. Barthe de Sandfort. Owing to this publicity, it seemed desirable to investigate the chemical composition, and to compare its physical properties with other waxlike substances.

“Ambrine” is promoted as a dressing for burns, frostbites, neuritis, varicose ulcers, phlebitis, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica, gout, etc. It is a smoky-appearing substance, resembling paraffin in consistency and without odor. For application, “Ambrine” is melted and applied to the wound either with a brush or with a specially devised atomizer. It cools quickly, and leaves a solid, protecting film.

“Ambrine” has been exploited in the United States for some time. To physicians it was sold under the name “Hyperthermine.” Above is a photographic reproduction (reduced) of a portion of a booklet describing “Hyperthermine,” which has been in The Journal office for some years.

Photographic reproduction (reduced) from the “Hyper­thermine” (“Ambrine”) booklet recommending it for use in rheu­ma­tism, gout, pneumonia, buboes, dysmenorrhea, eczema, tuberculous ulcers, etc.

It is said that de Sandfort “stumbled on this treatment by accident.”[165] Being a sufferer from rheumatism, he had been benefited by hot mud baths; on returning home he sought a substitute, and finally made a mixture of paraffin, oil of amber and amber resin. This was applied hot, serving as a firm poultice. “Years later, he went on service to a railway in China and was in Yunnan at the time of the incendiary insurrection, and many badly burned Chinese were brought in for treatment. Remembering that Ambroise Paré treated such cases with hot oil, he tried the effect of covering the burn with his melted ambrine, which at once glazes over, forming a coat impervious to the air, and his patients ceased to suffer.”[166]