sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate

Friendly

Word: Sodium Ethylmercurithiosalicylate

Basic Explanation:

"Sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate" is a long and complex name for a type of chemical compound. It is often referred to by its trade name, merthiolate. This substance is a light-colored crystalline powder that is used mainly as a surgical antiseptic, which means it helps to prevent infections during medical procedures.

Usage Instructions:

• In Medical Context: It is used to clean the skin before surgery or to treat small cuts and wounds.
• Safety Note: It is important to use it carefully, as it contains mercury, which can be harmful in high amounts.

Example Sentence:

"The doctor applied sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate to the patient's arm to disinfect the area before the injection."

Advanced Usage:

In scientific or medical discussions, you might encounter the term when discussing antiseptics and disinfectants. It is less common in everyday conversation but important in healthcare settings.

Word Variants:

• Merthiolate: The trade name for sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate, commonly used in medical settings.
• Thimerosal: A related compound that contains mercury and is also used as a preservative in some vaccines.

Different Meanings:

The word itself is very specific and does not have multiple meanings. However, understanding its components can help: - Sodium: A chemical element often used in various compounds. - Mercury: A heavy metal that has both beneficial and harmful properties. - Thiosalicylate: A compound that has antiseptic properties.

Synonyms:

• Antiseptic: A general term for substances that prevent infection.
• Disinfectant: A broader term for substances that kill germs and bacteria.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate," as it is a technical term primarily used in scientific or medical contexts.

Conclusion:

"Sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate" is a specialized term that refers to an antiseptic used in medical settings to prevent infections.

Academic

Noun

1. a light-colored crystalline powder (trade name Merthiolate) used as a surgical antiseptic

Synonyms

• thimerosal
• Merthiolate