Since childhood, a familiar zelenka - the instruction allows it to be used?

With this tool we get acquainted usually from the earliest years. And although everyone knows well what greenery is, the instructions to it must be read. After all, with the passage of time, new properties are revealed. Once it was treated with any scratch. Newborn babies smeared the umbilical cord, and nursing mothers - chest and stitches, if they were. Recently, the diamond solution in maternity hospitals has ceased to be used, replacing it with other antiseptics, for example, fucorcin.

The formula of the actual "green" substance is quite complex, in fact it is a synthetic dye that looks like golden-green crystals or powder, which then dissolves in alcohol. A ready-made solution sold in pharmacies has a 1% concentration. But why is called a diamond ordinary zelenka - the instruction does not tell, and it is not known for certain. Presumably, this was due to a misunderstanding or incompetence of an interpreter, who first translated the name of the drug into Russian. Literally the Latin name of this substance is green shiny. Some French chemist used to refer to the word "brilliant" French "brillant". And our translator made a diamond green.

It is interesting that originally the brilliant green was used simply as a dye, in order to be easier to observe in a microscope behind pathogenic microorganisms. In fact, synthetic dyes William Perkin, an English chemist, invented several in search of an effective cure for malaria. But in the process of using them, observing different microflora, began to notice that some dyes are capable of killing dangerous microbes. Thus, came to the realization that one of the dyes, zelenka (instructions for use indicates this property as the main), is an excellent antiseptic. The same way came about using phenol (carbolic acid), alcohol solution of iodine, silver, bleach and some other dye substances.

Since then, as scientists have realized what is green, its application has become ubiquitous. It turned out that this solution not only stops the development and spread of microorganisms, but also destroys them, that is, it is an effective disinfectant and bactericide.

Over time, some dyes had to be abandoned. Others have been used successfully so far. The latter include phenol, a 2-3% solution of which perfectly disinfects medical instruments, for example, or gloves and drains. Although phenol is considered a strong poison, and its high concentrations are especially dangerous for the mucous and for the skin in general, it is used in the manufacture of aspirin and many other drugs. A spray for the throat, which has an analgesic and antimicrobial effect, "Oracept" is a 1.4% solution of phenol.

When deciding on the use of a substance, not only its antiseptic properties are taken into account, but also toxicity for healthy tissues. How toxic the green is - the instruction does not mention it. In civilized countries, it was abandoned for a long time. American doctors believe that it has carcinogenic properties, while the European classify a brilliant green for toxins. So, is it really dangerous zelenka?

This can not be stated categorically. Our medicine allows the use of the drug "Zelenka", the instruction recommends it as an antiseptic for local topical application, active against gram-positive bacteria and not having an irritating effect. Why does not Western medicine recognize our greenery?

In fact, serious studies have not been conducted. The drug is cheap, and it is not profitable to invest in its research. And Western medicine uses in its work a demonstrative doctrine. Since the molecular action of green and some other dyes is unknown, it is easier to abandon their use.