24 ANIMAL DRUGS. 



Carahus auratus, L. ; shorter, greenish above, legs and 

 antennae reddish. 



Catonia aurata, L. ; greenish above, below hairy, with 

 a cross white line on the wings. Shorter and broader than 

 the Spanish fly. 



Cicamhyx moschata, L. ; about the same length but 

 narrower, with very long (at least an inch) antennae and 

 a steel blue color. 



Mylabris dehor ii and Mylahris phalerata, Chinese flies, 

 and other blistering beetles from the United States are 

 being introduced, and a number of the American species 

 have been found to contain more cantharidin than the 

 European species. Fluckiger found as high as 2.5 per 

 cent, in the Brazilian species, Epicauta ads per sa. 



Physiological Action. — Cantharides is a violent irritant, 

 producing when applied to the skin redness, smarting, 

 and blisters. Sloughing may result from its application. 

 Internally it is absorbed and is a violent poison with 

 vomiting, purging, violent abdominal pain and collapse. 

 It is eliminated mainly through the urine, and may induce 

 violent symptoms in the genito-urinary tract. Poisoning 

 is best treated by washing out the stomach, and the 

 application of demulcents, mucilages, starch, cocaine, 

 and morphine for pain. Intestinal antiseptics, salol, 

 and bismuth for after-treatment of ulceration. Oils and 

 fats should be avoided internally in the treatment of 

 cantharides poisoning because of solubility of canthar- 

 idin in these menstrua. Dose, 0.005 to 0.06 gm. (j^g- to 

 I grain) well diluted, in tincture. 



