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Medical Definition of Ichthammol
1. Sulfonated bitumen; ammonium sulfoichthyolate;a viscous fluid, reddish brown to brownish black in colour, with a strong, characteristic, empyreumatic odour, 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; has been used in 10 and 20 percent concentration in an ointment ("drawing salve"). Synonym: ammonium ichthosulfonate. (05 Mar 2000)