Magnesium sulfate (medical use) ionic strength prevents some of the temporary skin wrinkling (partial maceration) which is caused by prolonged immersion of extremities in pure water. Magnesium and sulfate ions are naturally present in some mineral waters. The claimed health benefits of Epsom Salt baths have not been proven. A magnesium sulphate paste is also available which is claimed to be useful for small boils or localised infections. The standard British Pharmacopoeia composition is dried Magnesium Sulfate 47.76 % w/w, Phenol 0.49 % w/w. and glycerol (E422). Magnesium sulfate has been used as an experimental treatment of Irukandji syndrome caused by envenomation by certain
Magnesium perchlorate Magnesium perchlorate Magnesium perchlorate is a powerful oxidizing agent, with the formula Mg(ClO). It is also a superior drying agent for gas analysis. Magnesium perchlorate decomposes at 250 °C. The heat of formation is -568.90 kJ mol. The enthalpy of solution is quite high, so reactions are done in large amounts of water to dilute it. It is sold under the trade name anhydrone. Manufacture of this product on a semi-industrial scale was first performed by G. Frederick Smith in his garage in Urbana Illinois, but later at a permanent facility in Columbus, OH called G. Frederick Smith Chemical Co.