Merthiolate.....
I wonder if it's the 'original' formulation?
It is not the original formula. Originally, Merthiolate contained mercuric oxide in an alcohol solution. This stuff has Benzylkonium chloride as the active ingredient. No where near as effective as a bactericide.
For many years, the U.S. has had a ban on any medicine with mercury in it--especially if it happened to work exceptionally well. The ban included mercuric oxide ophthalmic ointment which was one of the only things that cured styes in kids and, of course, Merthiolate and Mercurochrome.
Merthiolate had an alcohol base that burned on scratches and scrapes. Kids hated it. Mercurochrome had a distilled water base and caused no pain upon application. Of course, it didn't work nearly as well as Merthiolate.
The really painful old school bactericide is still available. Tincture of Iodine is strong enough to actually chemically burn the skin if too much is applied. It's also good for darkening the etching in silver jewelry to make it stand out better. It also works on aluminum as I recall.
I offer the above for nothing more than as interesting side notes and because I'm POd I can't get mercuric oxide ophthalmic ointment. I hate intrusive government.
Crusader Rabbit