Alkali burns from wet cement.

When water is added to the dry materials of Portland cement calcium hydroxide is formed; the wet cement is caustic (with a pH as high as 12.9) and can produce third-degree alkali burns after 2 hours of contact. Unlike professional cement workers, amateurs are usually not aware of any danger and may stand or kneel in the cement for long periods. As illustrated in a case report, general physicians may recognize neither the seriousness of the injury in its early stages nor the significance of a history of prolonged contact with wet cement. All people working with cement should be warned about its dangers and advised to immediately wash and dry the skin if contact does occur.     

Inflicted burns and scalds in children.

Ten children who had been burnt and six who had been scalded by parents or those caring for them were seen over three years. In no case did the thermal injury affect more than 5% of the body surface and there were no deaths. In seven the perineum or buttocks were in the burnt area. In 12 children there was evidence of other inflicted injury including six recent fractures. Staff caring for burnt children should be aware of this type of inflicted injury. X-ray skeletal surveys should be carried out in doubtful cases and a case conference initiated with the appropriate social work services to consider supervising the family after the child''s discharge or taking legal care proceedings.