An astringent and styptic.
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ferric chloride n a deliquescent salt FeCl3 that is used chiefly as an oxidizing agent, as a catalyst, as an etching agent in photoengraving, as a coagulant in treating industrial wastes, and in medicine in a water solution or tincture usu. as an astringent or styptic
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orange-yellow or brownish yellow crystalline pieces, FeCl3•6H2O; used as a reagent and as a diagnostic aid in phenylketonuria; it was formerly used as a hematinic in the treatment of iron deficiency anemias and as a topical astringent and styptic. Called also iron chloride.Medical dictionary. 2011.