TOPICAL AGENTS. 199 



iintary escape of urine from the bladder, due to relax- 

 ation of the sphincter vesicae. It is also recommended 

 for mares and cows slow in coming to service, but its 

 aphrodisiac effects are uncertain. Externally, can- 

 tharidal ointments are applied to stimulate indolent 

 wounds and ulcers, and to develop and determine 

 slow-forming abscesses — as in strangles ; also to help 

 in the absorption and liquefaction of products of in- 

 flammatory processes; to open joint — the resulting 

 inflammation and swelling sometimes check the 

 escape of synovia. Similarly applied in umbilical 

 hernia of foals and calves; as a counter-irritant to 

 relieve irritability of larynx, chronic cough, and in- 

 flammation of deeper-seated structures; mild prepa- 

 rations to the chest walls in pleurodynia and pleurisy ; 

 along the spine in spinitis, chronic paralysis, enceph- 

 alitis, puerperal apoplexy; also to rheumatic swell- 

 ings of the articulations, especially if chronic. 

 Inflammation of bursse, tendons, articulations, liga- 

 tnents, and bones are treated with cantharides prepa- 

 rations of varying strength. The usual ointment is 

 twelve per cent., but much stronger may be employed 

 if required. 



Cantharides liniment (cantharides siss., extracted 

 by alcohol 3 xiv., and oil of turpentine 3 ij.), so-called 

 "sweating blister," may be repeatedly used without 

 blemishing. 



A very good stimulant and absorbent ointment is 

 composed of powdered cantharides 3iss., powdered 

 camphor 3ss., oil of turpentine 3iss., biniodide of 

 mercury fi., and resin cerate 3xij.; to be made 



