Word Finder - antiseptics

definition

Any substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Generally includes only those that are used on living objects (as opposed to disinfectants) and aren't transported by the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria in the body (as opposed to antibiotics).

Of the dry antiseptics iodoform is constantly used in septic or tuberculous wounds, and it appears to have an inhibitory action on Bacillus tuberculosis.

Spruce is a member of the pine family and contains some natural antiseptics in the resins.

The list includes antiseptics, anesthetics, orthopedics and psychology.

He goes on to suggest that consideration be made to the use of topical antiseptics to return the wound to colonization.

Webster J, Osborne S. Preoperative bathing or showering with skin antiseptics to prevent surgical site infection.

These conditions have been specially studied and applied in connexion with the preserving of food (see Food Preservation) and in the ancient practice of embalming the dead, which is the earliest illustration of the systematic use of antiseptics (see Embalming).

In early inquiries a great point was made of the prevention of putrefaction, and work was done in the way of finding how much of an agent must be added to a given solution, in order that the bacteria accidentally present might not develop. But for various reasons this was an inexact method, and to-day an antiseptic is judged by its effects on pure cultures of definite pathogenic microbes, and on their vegetative and spore forms. Their standardization has been effected in many instances, and a water solution of carbolic acid of a certain fixed 'strength is now taken as the standard with which other antiseptics are compared.

The salts of bismuth are feebly antiseptic. Taken internally the subnitrate, coming into contact with water, tends to decompose, gradually liberating nitric acid, one of the most powerful antiseptics.

Practical experience teaches every clinician that, whatever the mode of action, iron is most valuable in anaemia, though in many cases, where there is well-marked toxaemia from absorption of the intestinal products, not only laxatives in combination with iron but intestinal antiseptics are necessary.

Experimental application of topical antiseptics such as hexachlorophene almost completely prevent the rashes of prickly heat.

Parents should consult their doctors before applying such antiseptics to their child's skin.

Instead, they rely upon botanicals for anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories, antiseptics, antibacterials and skin nutrition.

Among the more recently introduced antiseptics, chinosol, a yellow substance freely soluble in water, and lysol, another coal-tar derivative, are much used.

Borax and boracic acid are feeble but useful antiseptics.

Recent work has shown it is too feeble to be relied upon alone, but where really efficient antiseptics, such as mercuric chloride and iodide, and carbolic acid, have been already employed, boracic acid (which, unlike these, is non-poisonous and non-irritant) may legitimately be used to maintain the aseptic or non-bacterial condition which they have obtained.

Urotropin is among the most powerful of urinary antiseptics.

They are all antiseptics.

They all have a poisonous action on protoplasm, which makes them useful in medicine as antiseptics, disinfectants, germicides, anti-fermentatives and parasiticides; when locally applied they are more or less irritating, and, when very dilute, astringent.

This is either by inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms (Antiseptics) or by destroying them when present (Disinfectants).