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.[1] 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 .[2]. 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.[3]
In dentistry, silver nitrate was previously used to treat aphthous ulcers or mouth ulcers.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Geissinger HD (2011)"The use of silver nitrate as a stain for scanning electron microscopy of arterial intima and paraffin sections of kidney". Journal of Microscopy. 95 (3): 471–481. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2818.1972.tb01051.x. PMID 4114959
- ↑ Peter.H (2000). "Dr Carl Credé (1819–1892) and the prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum". Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 83 (2): F158–F159 doi:10.1136/fn.83.2.F158. PMC 1721147. PMID 10952715..
- ↑ Schaller, Ulrich C. & Klauss, Volker (2001). "Is Credés prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum still valid?". Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 79 (3): 262–266. doi:10.1590/S0042-96862001000300017 (inactive 2018-11-03).
