lunar caustic

American  

noun

Medicine/Medical, Chemistry.

1. silver nitrate, AgNO 3 , especially in a sticklike mold, used to cauterize tissues.

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lunar caustic British  

noun

1. silver nitrate fused into sticks, which were formerly used in cauterizing

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Etymology

Origin of lunar caustic

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

I applied the lunar caustic to form an eschar.

From An Essay on the Application of the Lunar Caustic in the Cure of Certain Wounds and Ulcers by Higginbottom, John

The moon became the symbol of silver; and to this day fused nitrate of silver is called lunar caustic.

From Moon Lore by Harley, Timothy

In some instances, it would be well to apply lunar caustic immediately.

From A Treatise on Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene (Revised Edition) by Cutter, Calvin

I reapplied the lunar caustic to form eschars, and I evacuated a little fluid from their centre for three successive days.

From An Essay on the Application of the Lunar Caustic in the Cure of Certain Wounds and Ulcers by Higginbottom, John

It may, therefore, remain a question whether the lunar caustic may not still prove useful in phagedenic ulcers of a smaller size.

From An Essay on the Application of the Lunar Caustic in the Cure of Certain Wounds and Ulcers by Higginbottom, John