Vesicant
Vesicant
Vesicant (pronunciation: /ˈvɛsɪkənt/), also known as a blister agent or mustard gas, is a chemical compound that causes severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and damage. They are named for their ability to cause severe chemical burns, resulting in painful water blisters on the bodies of those exposed.
Etymology
The term "vesicant" is derived from the Latin word "vesica", meaning "bladder" or "blister". It was first used in this context in the early 20th century, during the First World War, to describe the effects of chemical warfare agents.
Types of Vesicants
There are several types of vesicants, including:
- Sulfur mustard: Also known as "mustard gas", this is the most well-known type of vesicant. It was widely used during World War I and can cause severe, delayed burns to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
- Nitrogen mustard: These are a class of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents derived from mustard gas. They were the first chemotherapy agents to be developed.
- Lewisite: This is an arsenic-based vesicant that was developed during World War I but was not used until World War II. It causes immediate pain and irritation on contact with the skin, and can be lethal in high doses.
- Phosgene oxime: Unlike other vesicants, phosgene oxime causes immediate pain and damage upon contact. It is less commonly used than other types of vesicants.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vesicant
- Wikipedia's article - Vesicant
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