AND PHARMACOPOEIA. 447 



ISIeloIontlia vitis, an insect resembling them in some degree, but 

 possessing no vesicating property. It may be distinguished by 

 its form, which is more square than that of the Spanish fly, and 

 by its bhick feet. If Spanish flies have been properly dried, and 

 kept in a well-stopped glass bottle, they retain their acrimony, 

 and remain unchanged a great length of time ; but sometimes 

 they are attacked by a small worm, which, however, feeds on the 

 inactive part only of the fly, reducing it to a powder that still 

 possesses the active quality of the entire insect. They soon 

 putrify when kept in a damp place, and therefore should be 

 occasionally spread out to the air." — Tkompson''s London Dis- 

 pensatory. 



Tincture of cantharides is sometimes given internally in 

 human medicine, and has been prescribed for horses in incon- 

 tinence of urine. Its principal effect is supposed to be upon the 

 neck of the bladder. When incontinence of urine is produced 

 by over-distension of the bladder, however, drawing off the urine 

 for a ^Qw times, and not allowino; that viscus to retain anv great 

 accumulation of urine, may, and indeed generally will, restore 

 the tone of the bladder without having recourse to cantharides. 

 Seven grains of powdered cantharides have been prescribed by 

 Mr. Bracy Clark in a tonic drench.* An over dose of this me- 

 dicine will produce strangury and bloody urine, to counteract 

 which demulcents, as decoction of marsh-mallows, infusion of 

 linseed with gum Arabic, &c. are the most efficacious remedies. 



CAPIVY. See Balsam of Copaiba. 



CAPSICUM. Cayenne Pepper. This plant is found both 

 in the East and West Indies. Its medicinal properties are those 

 of a strong stimulant, without producing any narcotic effects. 

 The pod, when powdered, forms Cayenne pepper, which is a 

 joowerful stimulant. I have been informed that it is used with 

 the best effect as a horse medicine in the East Indies; but could 

 not learn precisely what the complaints were in which it was 

 employed, though I believe it Avas the jftatulent colic, or gripes. 

 It has been successfully given in cases of flatulency, weakness 

 of the stomach, and indigestion, in doses of a scruple or half a 

 drachm, joined with a little powdered aniseed, liquorice, and 

 syrup, so as to form a ball. See Cordials. 



It appears, liowever, to be inferior to good ginger as a cordial 

 and stimulant, though more pungent or acrimonious. 



CARAWAY SEEDS. — Carui Semina. These seeds are 

 much used in veterinary practice, as a cordial and carminative. 



* It has been more generally introduced by Mr. Vines as a remedy for 

 glanders, farcy, and anasarca. It is certainly a valuable tonic and stomachicj 

 and may be given as a powder with the food, combined with sulphate of iron 

 and vegetable tonics. In this form I have found it promote condition consi- 

 derably. — Ed. 



