Methyl salicylate Health Dictionary

An alternative name for methanol.... methyl alcohol

Methyl is an organic radical whose chemical formula is CH3, and which forms the centre of a wide group of substances known as the methyl group. For example, methyl alcohol is obtained as a by-product in the manufacture of beet-sugar, or by distillation of wood; methyl salicylate is the active constituent in oil of wintergreen; methyl hydride is better known as marsh gas.

Methyl alcohol, or wood spirit (see METHANOL), is distilled from wood and is thus a cheap form of alcohol. It has actions similar to, but much more toxic than, those of ethyl alcohol. It has a specially pronounced action on the nervous system, and in large doses is apt to cause neuritis, especially of the optic nerves, leading to blindness, partial or complete.... methyl

Esters or salts of salicylic acid, such as aspirin, and including glycoside forms such as salicin. They are widely used as topical irritants and (especially) as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents and prostaglandin inhibitors.... salicylates

A group of drugs, such as aspirin and benorilate, with antiinflammatory, fever-reducing, and mild analgesic action.

Overdose causes hyperventilation, tinnitus, sweating, abnormal bleeding, biochemical disturbances, and, in severe cases, convulsions and coma.... salicylate drugs

a basic dye used for colouring the stainable part of the cell nucleus (chromatin) and – with pyronin – for the differential staining of RNA and DNA, which give a red and a green colour respectively.... methyl green

(gentian violet) a dye used mainly for staining protozoans.... methyl violet