expression, ichidan verb
apply medicine
Used for putting medicine on a wound or affected area. The verb つける here means to apply or attach.
傷口に薬を付けてください。
Please apply medicine to the wound.
虫刺されに薬をつけた。
I put medicine on the insect bite.
Standard kanji spelling using 付ける for 'apply'.
Kana spelling of the verb part; common in everyday writing.
塗る means to spread or paint on, often for ointments or creams, while 薬を付ける is more general for applying medicine.
Compound of 薬 (medicine) + を (object marker) + 付ける (to apply/attach).