Category: M

Almost pure alcohol, with wood alcohol and colouring added. A mixture consisting mainly of ethyl alcohol with methyl alcohol and petroleum hydrocarbons. The addition of pyridine gives it an objectionable smell, and the dye methyl violet is added to make it recognizable as unfit to drink. It is used as a solvent, cleaning fluid, and…

A drug which helps to prevent cells reproducing, used in the treatment of cancer. An antimetabolite that interferes with the action of the vitamin, folic acid. This drug also suppresses the immune system and serves as an antineoplastic drug. Antineoplastic drug used to treat certain cancers. Adverse effects include mouth sores, digestive upsets, bone marrow…

A synthetically produced antibiotic, used in the treatment of infections which are resistant to penicillin. Antibiotic of the penicillin family that is not rendered inactive by the penicillinase enzyme released by certain bacteria; it is used to treat certain staphylococcal infections. Adverse effects include allergic reactions, kidney disturbance, and occasionally inflammation or phlebitis at the…

A colourless poisonous liquid, used as a solvent and a fuel. It changes easily into a gas. Methyl alcohol; wood alcohol; colorless, flammable liquid used as a solvent for ethyl alcohol. Highly toxic if ingested, methanol can cause blindness, kidney failure, and death. Wood alcohol; also called methyl alcohol. Methanol is used as a solvent…

A colourless flammable gas with no smell. An odourless, colourless, highly flammable gas which occurs naturally in gas from coal mines and oil wells. ‘Natural’ gas supplied to homes and industries is almost 100 per cent methane. It is not poisonous unless present in large amounts, when it may displace oxygen and thus asphyxiate (suffocate)…

The presence of methaemoglobin in the blood. A condition due to the presence in the blood of methaemoglobin. It is characterized by cyanosis which turns the skin and lips a blue colour, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue and sickness. There are two main forms: a hereditary form and a toxic form. The latter can be…

A condition found in newborn babies or young infants in which the front half of the foot is twisted inwards at an angle to the heel.  

A joint between a metatarsal bone and a toe. The connection linking each metatarsal bone with its neighboring toe bone is referred to as the metatarsophalangeal joint. This joint, located at the bottom of the big toe, is frequently impacted by conditions like gout and hallux rigidus, a condition marked by stiffness resulting from osteoarthritis.…

An arched part of the sole of the foot, running across the sole of the foot from side to side.  

A condition in which someone sees objects in distorted form, usually due to inflammation of the choroid. A condition in which objects appear distorted. It is usually due to a disorder of the retina affecting the macula (the most sensitive part). Distortion of vision, especially of the central visual field.