ichthammol

Pronunciation: ik′tham-mol

Definition: A viscous fluid, reddish brown to brownish black, with a strong, characteristic, empyreumatic odor, soluble in water and in glycerin; obtained by the destructive distillation of certain bituminous schists, sulfonating the distillate and neutralizing the product with ammonia. It is used in skin disorders; its beneficial effect is due to its mild irritant, stimulant, antiseptic, and analgesic action; used in 10–20% concentrations in an ointment (“drawing salve”).

Synonym(s): ammonium ichthosulfonate

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