dobell's solution: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Historical medical
Quick answer
What does “dobell's solution” mean?
A medicinal solution used historically as an antiseptic mouthwash and gargle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medicinal solution used historically as an antiseptic mouthwash and gargle.
A compound solution containing sodium borate, sodium bicarbonate, phenol, and glycerin in water, named after the British pharmacist Horace B. Dobell. It is now considered obsolete in modern medical practice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is recognized in both UK and US historical medical/pharmaceutical literature with no significant variation in meaning. Reference to it may be slightly more common in UK historical texts due to its British origin.
Connotations
Archaic, historical. Connotes early 20th-century medicine.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency; encountered almost exclusively in historical medical texts or discussions of medical history.
Grammar
How to Use “dobell's solution” in a Sentence
The nurse prepared Dobell's solution.Treatment involved gargling with Dobell's solution.Dobell's solution is composed of...The prescription called for Dobell's solution.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dobell's solution” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Dobell's solution formula is recorded in the old pharmacopoeia.
American English
- The Dobell's solution ingredients included phenol and glycerin.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in historical analyses of pharmaceutical or medical treatments.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used precisely to refer to this specific historical formulation in pharmacy or medical history contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dobell's solution”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dobell's solution”
- Writing 'Dobell solution' without the possessive 's'.
- Using it as a generic term for any mouthwash.
- Misspelling as 'Dobell's solusion' or 'Dobel's solution'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an obsolete formulation and has been replaced by more effective and safer modern antiseptics and mouthwashes.
It was primarily used as an antiseptic mouthwash and gargle for conditions like sore throats and oral infections.
No, it is not a commercially available product in modern pharmacies. It is of historical interest only.
It is named after Horace B. Dobell, a British physician and pharmacist who developed or promoted the formula.
A medicinal solution used historically as an antiseptic mouthwash and gargle.
Dobell's solution is usually technical/historical medical in register.
Dobell's solution: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdəʊˈbɛlz səˈluːʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdoʊˈbɛlz səˈluːʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Dobell's solution was a DO-it-all (antiseptic) BELL (to signal cleanliness) for the mouth.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A FORMULA/CHEMICAL RECIPE.
Practice
Quiz
What field would most likely use the term 'Dobell's solution' today?