Javelle Water
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Javelle water is a solution of potassium hypochlorite used as a disinfectant, deodorant, and bleaching agent. It was historically applied externally for wound treatment and internally for typhoid fever, though it has been largely replaced by other solutions.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
JAVELLE WATER, Liquor Kalii hypochlorosi, Kalium hypochlorosum solutum, Eau de Javel, KClO, is obtained by treating bleaching lime with potash and represents a very unstable solution of potassium hypochlorite with a content of 0.5-0.8% active chlorine. It decomposes under the influence of light, air, heating, and in the presence of organic substances. The released chlorine acts as an irritant, disinfectant, and deodorizer; therefore, J. w. is used: externally for gargles (5.0 per 100.0 of water); for enemas (2.0 per 100.0 of water); for baths (200.0-400.0 per bath); for dressing slowly healing and foul-smelling wounds (< 2-percent solution), especially of soft chancre; for douches in chronic tripper and fluor albus (5-percent solution). Internally it was administered in doses of 0.25-0.75 in drops (5-15 drops with water), 4-6 times a day, in typhoid fever to destroy the bacterial flora in the stomach contents. In all these cases, J. w. is replaced by Labarraque's water (as well as Dakin's solution). J. w. is used in forensic chemistry to distinguish arsenic mirror from antimony mirror. It possesses bleaching properties, for which reason it is used for bleaching fabrics, when washing laundry, though it acts destructively on fabrics.
Related articles
Mentioned in
Cite this page
“Javelle Water.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/javelle-water/