An M.D.'s Response to Silver Nitrate

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Thu, 22 Feb 1996 22:07:50 -0500

Silver Nitrate is still used in medical practice as a cautery agent.
Crystaline silver nitrate swabs are used to cauterize nosebleeds, throats
after tonsillectomy, and sometimes bleeding site around healing incisions.

Infants eyes are no longer treated with diluted silver nitrate drops to
prevent trachoma of the cornea (an infection). Today erythromycin ointment
is used.

David A. Bianchi, M.D. F.A.C.S.
Otolaryngologist