Question

Bithional is an example of:
(A) Disinfectant
(B) Antiseptic
(C) Antibiotic
(D) Analgesic

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that Bithional is an important compound in the medicinal industry. The other name of Bithional is 2, 4-dichloro- 6-(3, 5-dichloro-2-hydroxyphenyl) sulfonyl phenol. So approach this question by recalling all the medicinal properties of Bithional and match it with the given options.

Complete answer:
Let us first discuss about Bithional as follows:-
-Bithional: It is an aromatic compound that contains sulphur as a bridging atom between two benzene rings. It acts as an antibacterial and anthelmintic (anti-parasitic drug) in the case of animals to cure tapeworms and liver flukes. It is also used in soaps due to its antiseptic properties.
The structure of Bithional is shown below:-

-Now let us check each option one by one as follows:-
(A) Disinfectant: These are the chemical agents that are designed to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on hard and inert surfaces. These cannot be used on extreme physical and living surfaces as it would harm them as well. Since Bithional does not harm at this level, therefore it is not a disinfectant.
(B) Antiseptic: These are also the chemical agents which are used to kill and prevent the growth of microorganisms even on the living tissues. These are applied to wounds, cuts and other skin diseases. Since Bithional is used to cure wounds and cuts on tissue level, therefore it is an antiseptic.
(C) Antibiotics: These are substances that act against active bacteria and fight against bacterial infections. Therefore Bithional is not an antibiotic as well.
(D) Analgesic: These are the drugs that give relief from pain but Bithional does not have any such property. Therefore it does not belong to this category as well
-From the above data, we can conclude that Bithional is an example of: (B) Antiseptic.

Note:
-Remember that Bithional is especially added in soaps not only because it is an antiseptic but also because it helps to reduce the odour produced by the microbial decomposition of organic substances on skin.
-It is also an alternative drug for treating pulmonary and cerebral paragonimiasis.