Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
Whit·field's ointment Pronunciation:
'(h)wit-"fEldz- Variant:
also Whit·field ointment /-"fEld-/ Function:
noun : an ointment that contains benzoic acid and salicylic acid and is used for its keratolytic effect in treating fungal skin diseases (as ringworm)
Whitfield,
Arthur (1868–1947), British dermatologist. Whitfield was a London professor of dermatology and the author of numerous articles on skin diseases. In 1907 he published a handbook ofskin diseases and their treatment. The handbook introduced an antiseptic ointment composed of benzoic and salicylic acids and petrolatum and used for the treatment of fungus infections.
