Silver nitrate

Silver nitrate  (also lapis) is a silver salt of nitric acid with the formula AgNO3. In medicine, the caustic effect is used to destroy ( lapisate ) verrucae, overgranulated tissue, etc. Complications can be a deeper defect in case of excessive application or the formation of pigment spots.

It finds further use in histology during impregnation with silver in both optical and electron microscopy. Lapis can also be used to cauterize small wounds.

Previously, the antiseptic effect was used during the so-called credeization, i.e. dripping of a diluted AgNO 3 solution into the conjunctival sacs of newborns to prevent the vertical transmission of gonorrhea. This procedure was introduced by Credé in 1881 as a prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis. . At this time, gonorrheal neonatal conjunctivitis was a major epidemiological problem. In modern medicine, this procedure is overcome by the application of gentler antiseptics ( povidone iodine ) or local antibiotics, and silver nitrate does not prevent chlamydial infection.

In dentistry, silver nitrate was previously used to treat aphthous ulcers or mouth ulcers.