happens that these fevers are often curable or fatal, 
according as we can excite the skin or may be 
frustrated in our efforts to do this. Flies being 
inadequate to rouse the system through the skin, 
as already stated, a very important augmentation 
of their vesicating quality was some years ago de- 
vised by my friend Dr. Hartshorne of this city; 
by which, intensity of stimulating action and what 
is equally desirable in the peculiar cases alluded 
to, a more sudden development of its effect, is 
secured to the practitioner. His improvement 
consists in boiling spanish flies in the oil of tur- 
pentine ; and from much experience with the 
decoction, I am prepared to invite your atten- 
tion to it as one of the most important, useful 
and desired improvements in pharmacy which 
has been made for a long time.. The energy 
of its action meets the close danger of the case. 
Whatever value there may be attributed, and 
it is universally conceived to be great, to the 
- Fousing action of flies, that value is enhanced to 
our utmost wishes, by the intensity and celerity 
of action pertaining to the decoction of cantharides — 
in turpentine. 
The channel through which the sanative agency 
of blisters is imparted to the general system, in 
fevers and other diseases involving general dis- 
turbance of the frame; the manner in which their 
curative agency is exerted in the local pains of in- 
Hammatory diseases as peripneumony; and in 
Femoving swellings of the body over the regions of 
particular viscera which are among the sequel 
ef protracted intermittents ; and their beneficial 
operation on articular rigidity and watery deposi- 
tions, arising from chronic rheumatism or injuries, 
—have all been fruitful sourcegof inquiry and dis-_ 
cussion. Much diversity of opinion has been de- 
