A cream containing malic, benzoic and salicylic acid esters (Aserbine) was evaluated as a topical dressing for dermal burns. Children with thermal injuries covering less than 20 per cent of the body surface area (BSA) were treated with Aserbine (53 patients), Daromide (31 patients) or silver sulphadiazine (SSD) (16 patients). In these groups, hot liquids were the cause of injury in 92 per cent, 100 per cent and 80 per cent of patients respectively. There were no significant differences in the numbers of patients with clinical evidence of infection. Aserbine did not inhibit the growth of staphylococci or Ps. aeruginosa, partly inhibited beta-haemolytic streptococci and Proteus sp., and completely inhibited the growth of E. coli. The rate of wound healing did not differ significantly between the groups. No toxic effects of Aserbine were observed, apart from transient discomfort on application. Aserbine is a safe, inexpensive topical agent suitable for thermal burns which are not heavily contaminated.