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Glite Dictionary
black lotion

black lotion

9.9
A liquid medicine with mercury applied to skin sores, once used for syphilis
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : loción negra
  • Doctors once prescribed black lotion to treat skin ulcers caused by syphilis.

Examples

  • Owing to its mercury content, black lotion fell out of favor as safer treatments became available.

  • The patient was instructed to apply black lotion to the affected area twice daily.

  • The doctor recommended using black lotion for the skin condition.

  • I applied black lotion to the affected area every day.

  • Doctors once prescribed black lotion to treat skin ulcers caused by syphilis.

  • The patient was instructed to apply black lotion to the affected area twice daily.

  • Owing to its mercury content, black lotion fell out of favor as safer treatments became available.

Synonyms

blackwash
vsblack lotion
  • Archaic
9.9

An old medicine applied to skin sores caused by syphilis

covers those sores and also treats other skin conditions

How Potent

black lotion
  • Archaic
9.9
mayten
9.9

Surface Forms

black lotion singular
black lotions plural

Morphology

black + lotion

The phrase is a literal combination where 'black' simply describes the noun 'lotion', so a B1 learner who knows both words will infer it refers to a dark-colored topical preparation. The precise historical formulation and medical use (calomel and limewater for syphilitic sores) are encyclopedic details not predictable from the words, but the core referent is fully compositional and transparent.

Etymology

Black lotion comes from an old skin medicine that was a dark liquid rubbed on 'sores'. Because the remedy looked black and was used as a lotion, the name came to mean that specific treatment for syphilis and other skin problems.