Antiseptics (Antiseptics)

Chemical compounds that have antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects. These include preparations containing chlorine (chloramine, pantocid, etc.), iodine (alcohol iodine solution, Lugol solution, iodoform, etc.); substances that remove oxygen (hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate); some organic acids (boric, salicylic, etc.) and bases (bicarbonate of soda, ammonia); mercury compounds (sublimate, mercury ointments, etc.); preparations of silver (silver nitrate, protargol, etc.), lead (lead acetate), aluminum (Burow's liquid); ethanol; phenol; tar; some dyes (ethacridine, methylene blue, brilliant green, etc.), as well as antibiotics for external use (polymyxin, microcide, etc.).

A. s. used to disinfect wounds, burn surfaces and abrasions, as well as to treat pustular skin diseases. In high concentrations they are used for disinfection, i.e. to destroy pathogens in the external environment in order to prevent possible inf. diseases, as well as in surgical practice (see Antiseptics, asepsis).

Some A. (for example, ethyl alcohol, acetic, lactic and sulfurous acids, sodium benzoate) can be used for food preservation in a dose that is harmless to humans (see Home canning). Many A. not only contribute to the preservation of food products, but also give them a specific pleasant taste and smell, for example, acetic acid.