A five year (1998–2002) study of burns at Gulberga, Karnataka

Deaths due to burns are common causes of unnatural deaths contributing nearly 25% of all autopsies. Dowry deaths are a menace to the society and many of these are caused by burns. In the current study a total of 525 cases of burns were analysed over a period of five years at Government General hospital Gulbarga. Of these 381(72.5%) cases were of female. During the five years the cases were almost evenly distributed with highest of 121 cases in the year 2000. out of the 525 cases studied 450 case were accidental in nature and 52 cases were suicidal and 23 cases were homicidal in nature based on history from the relatives and inquest papers furnished by police which some times was sketchy. Out of the 381 female cases, 92 were unmarried and the remaining 289 cases were of married females. Maximum numbers of cases i.e 289 were admitted to hospital and 92 were brought dead. Out of these 289 cases, a maximum of 74 cases survived for period of more than five years.