Discovered : 1826 by A.J. Balard in Montpellier, France and C. Lowg in Germany Origin : From the Greek ‘bromos’ meaning stench. Description : A deep-red, oily liquid with a sharp smell. It is extracted from sea water and is used in industry to make fuels and additives, insecticides and pharmaceuticals, or to make bromide salts for photography. It has been suggested that some bromine in the form of bromide is essential to health, but this has not been proved. The use of bromide salts as sedatives and to depress sexual desire has now been discontinued because the element is slightly toxic. Image : Dark lake.