Corrosive sublimate

Description

An old name for mercuric chloride. Corrosive sublimate is a highly toxic chemical that was used for years as a wood preservative, rat poison, insecticide, and fungicide.

See mercuric chloride.

Synonyms and Related Terms

mercuric chloride; bichloride of mercury

Hazards and Safety

Violent poison, can be fatal in minutes with ingestion of 0.5 grams.

Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Egg white is used as an antidote.

Additional Information

L. Goldberg, A History Of Pest Control Measures In The Anthropology Collections, National Museum Of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, JAIC (35):23-43, 1996

Authority

• R. Mayer, The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques, Viking Press, New York, 1981

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954