Formaldehyde Health Dictionary

Antiseptics prevent the growth of disease-causing micro-organisms without damaging living tissues. Among chemicals used are boric acid, carbolic acid, hydrogen peroxide and products based on coal tar, such as cresol. Chlorhexidines, iodine, formaldehyde, ?avines, alcohol and hexachlorophane are also used. Antiseptics are applied to prevent infection – for example, in preparing the skin before operation. They are also used externally to treat infected wounds.... antiseptics

Processes by which vegetative organisms, excluding spores, are killed in order to prevent the items disinfected from passing on infection. Equipment, bedlinen and hard surfaces may all be disinfected – the method chosen will depend on the material and size of the object. One of the most important procedures in preventing the spread of infection is the careful washing of hands before handling equipment and between treating di?erent patients. STERILISATION is di?erent from disinfection in that the methods used kill all living organisms and spores.

Methods of disinfection (1) Skin, wounds, etc. – chlorhexidine (with detergent or spirit); iodine (with detergent or spirit); cetrimide; ethyl alcohol; all must stay in contact with the skin for long enough for bacteria to be killed. (2) Hard surfaces (?oors, walls, etc.) – hypochlorites (i.e. bleaches) with or without detergent; cetrimide; iodine-containing solutions; ethyl alcohol. (3) Equipment – wet or dry heat (e.g. boiling for more than 5 minutes); submersion in liquid disinfectants for the appropriate time (e.g. glutaraldehyde 2·5 per cent), chlorhexidine in spirit 70 per cent, formaldehyde (irritant), chlorhexidine (0·1 per cent aqueous), hypochlorites.... disinfection

A substance which, when excreted by the kidneys, releases formaldehyde which has an antiseptic action. It is given to patients with recurrent CYSTITIS. It acts only in urine with an acid reaction, and, if the urine is alkaline, ascorbic acid may acidify it. Hexamine is used prophylactically and for long-term treatment of recurrent urinary-tract infections.... hexamine

These are small tablets containing drugs mixed with sugar, gum, glycerin-jelly or fruit-paste. They are used in various affections of the mouth and throat, being sucked and slowly dissolved by the saliva, which brings the drugs they contain into contact with the affected surface. Some of the substances used in lozenges are benzalkonium (disinfectant), benzocaine (analgesic), betamethasone (corticosteroid), bismuth (disinfectant), formaldehyde (disinfectant), hydrocortisone (corticosteroid), liquorice, and penicillin (antibiotic).... lozenges

Linn. f.

Family: Anacardiaceae.

Habitat: Punjab, Assam, Khasi Hills, Madhya Pradesh and Peninsular India.

English: Marking-Nut.

Ayurvedic: Bhallaataka, Bhallata, Arushkara, Agnik, Agnimukha, Sophkrit, Viravrksha.

Unani: Balaadur, Bhilaayan, Bhilaavaan.

Siddha/Tamil: Shenkottei, Erimugi. (Kattu shen-kottai is equated with S. travancorica Bedd., found in evergreen forests of Tinnevelly and Travancore.)

Folk: Bhilaavaa.

Action: Toxic drug, used only after curing. Fruit—caustic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antitumour. Used in rheumatoid arthritis and for the treatment of tumours and malignant growths.

A decoction, mixed with milk or butter fat, is prescribed in asthma, neuralgia, sciatica, gout, hemiplegia, epilepsy. Kernel oil—antiseptic; used externally in gout, leucoderma, psoriasis and leprosy. Bark gum—used for nervous debility; in leprous, scrofulous and venereal affections.

Bigger var. is equated with S. kurzii Engler.

The nut shells contain biflavonoids, including tetrahydrobustaflavone, tet- rahydroamentoflavone and anacardu- flavanone; nallaflavone; anacardic acid; aromatic amines and bhilawanol. Bhi- lawanol is a mixture of phenolic compounds, including cis and trans isomers of urushenol (3-pentadecenyl-8' catechol), monohydroxy phenol and semicarpol. These are the major constituents of the shell liquid, isolated from the nuts (about 46% of the weight of extract).

A mixture of closely related pentade- cyl catechols exhibits anticancer activity. Extracts of the fruit was found effective against human epidermoid carcinoma of the naso-pharynx in tissue culture.

Milk extract of the nut showed anti-inflammatory activity against car- rageenin, 5-HT and formaldehyde- induced rat paw oedema in acute anti- inflammatory studies. (About 20% animals developed gangrene of limbs, tail and ears.)

Dosage: Detoxified fruit—1-2 g in milk confection. (API, Vol. II.)... semecarpus anacardium

n. a solution containing 40% formaldehyde in water, used as a sterilizing agent and, in pathology, as a fixative. It is lethal to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores and is used to treat wools and hides to kill anthrax spores. Heating the solution produces the irritating vapour of *formaldehyde, which is also used for disinfection.... formalin

n. the use of gases or vapours to bring about *disinfestation of clothing, buildings, etc. Sulphur dioxide, formaldehyde, and chlorine are common fumigating agents.... fumigation

a mixture of potassium dichromate, sodium sulphate, mercuric chloride, formaldehyde, and distilled water, used in the preservation of bone marrow. [K. Helly (20th century), Swiss pathologist]... helly’s fluid

(methanol) wood alcohol: an alcohol that is oxidized in the body much more slowly than ethyl alcohol and forms poisonous products. As little as 10 ml of pure methyl alcohol can produce permanent blindness, and 100 ml is likely to be fatal. The breakdown product formaldehyde is responsible for damage to the eyes; it is itself converted to formic acid, which causes acidosis and death from respiratory failure. See also methylated spirits.... methyl alcohol

Gaultheria procumbens

FAMILY: Ericaceae

SYNONYMS: Aromatic wintergreen, checkerberry, teaberry, gaultheria (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A small evergreen herb up to 15 cm high with slender creeping stems shooting forth erect twigs with leathery serrated leaves and drooping white flowers, which are followed by fleshy scarlet berries.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to North America, especially the north eastern region and Canada. The oil is produced in the USA.

OTHER SPECIES: There are several other Gaultheria species which are also used for oil production, sharing similar properties.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The plant has been used for respiratory conditions such as chronic mucous discharge, but is mainly employed for joint and muscular problems such as lumbago, sciatica, neuralgia, myalgia, etc. The dried leaf and stem are current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for rheumatoid arthritis.

The essential oil has been used interchangeably with sweet birch oil, both being made up almost exclusively of methyl salicylate.

ACTIONS: Analgesic (mild), anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antitussive, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, stimulant.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam (or water) distillation from the leaf, previously macerated in warm water. The essential oil does not occur crudely in the plant, but is only produced during the process of decomposition in warm water.

CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellow or pinkish liquid with an intense sweet-woody, almost fruity odour. It blends well with oregano, mints, thyme, ylang ylang, narcissus and vanilla.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Almost exclusively methyl salicylate (up to 98 per cent), with formaldehyde and gaultheriline.

SAFETY DATA: Toxic, irritant and sensitizing – an environmental hazard or marine pollutant. The true oil is almost obsolete, having been replaced by synthetic methyl salicylate. See also sweet birch oil.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE None. ‘Avoid both internally and externally.’.

OTHER USES: Some pharmaceutical use, such as ‘Olbas’ oil. Some perfumery applications especially in forest-type fragrances. Extensively used as a flavouring agent in the USA for toothpaste, chewing gum, root beer, Coca-Cola, and other soft drinks.... wintergreen