Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium hypochlorite solution had been developed as a bleaching agent around 1820 by the French chemist Antoine Labarraque, as a cheaper substitute for Claude Berthollet's potassium hypochlorite solution, produced as "Eau de Javel" since the late 18th century. Around that time, he also discovered the disinfectant properties of his "Eau de Labarraque", which was quickly adopted for that purpose. His work greatly improved medical practice, public health, and the sanitary conditions in hospitals, slaughterhouses, and all industries dealing with animal products. However, those products were too concentrated and alkaline for use on wounds, as they strongly irritated healthy tissues.