collodion

A liquid made by dissolving pyroxylin or gun cotton in ether and alcohol; on evaporation it leaves a glossy contractile film; used as a protective for cuts or as a vehicle for the local application of medicinal substances. SYN: collodium. [Mod. L. collodium, fr. G. kolla, glue]

- blistering c. SYN: cantharidal c..

- cantharidal c. a powdered chloroform extract of cantharides in flexible c.; a vesicant. SYN: blistering c., c. vesicans.

- flexible c. a mixture of camphor, castor oil, and c., or a mixture of castor oil, Canada turpentine, and c., used for the same purposes as c., but its film possesses the advantage, for certain conditions, of not contracting.

- hemostatic c. SYN: styptic c..

- iodized c. a 5% solution of iodine in flexible c.; a counterirritant.

- salicylic acid c. a keratolytic agent used in the treatment of corns and verrucae.

- styptic c. tannic acid in flexible c.; an astringent and local hemostatic. SYN: hemostatic c., styptic colloid, xylostyptic ether.

- c. vesicans SYN: cantharidal c..

* * *

col·lo·di·on kə-'lōd-ē-ən n a viscous solution of pyroxylin used esp. as a coating for wounds or for photographic films

* * *

n.

a syrupy solution of nitrocellulose in a mixture of alcohol and ether. When applied to the surface of the body it evaporates to leave a thin clear transparent skin, useful for the protection of minor wounds. Flexible collodion also contains camphor and castor oil, which allow the skin to stretch a little more.

* * *

col·lo·di·on (kə-loґde-ən) [L. collodium, from Gr. kollōdēs glutinous] [USP] a clear or slightly opalescent, highly flammable, syrupy liquid compounded of pyroxylin, ether, and alcohol, which dries to a transparent, tenacious film; used as a topical protectant, applied to the skin to close small wounds, abrasions, and cuts, to hold surgical dressings in place, and to keep medications in contact with the skin.