HlRUDO. 385 



its immediate action. Small doses cause a sense of heat in the 

 perineum, itching of the meatus, frequent desire to micturate, 

 and some diuresis. Larger doses set up acute parenchy- 

 matous nephritis, with all its characteristic symptoms, in- 

 cluding scanty bloody urine, or even suppression; the penis 

 becomes swollen, and painful erections occur, so that the drug 

 has been described as an aphrodisiac. In women, the uterus 

 may become congested and menstruation may be brought on. 



In certain ill-understood cases of kidney disease, cantharis 

 has proved a useful diuretic and renal alterative ; also in some 

 instances of disease or disorder of the bladder, prostate, and 

 urethra, including spermatorrhoea. It is too dangerous a drug 

 to be generally used for this purpose. For the same reason 

 care must be taken to prevent the absorption of cantharidin by 

 the skin. 



ANNELIDA. 



Him do THE LEECH. 1, Sanguisuga medici- 

 nalis, the Speckled Leech ; and, 2, Sanguisuga 

 officinalis, the Green Leech. Collected chiefly in 

 France, Spain, Italy, and Hungary. 



Characters. Body elongated, two or three inches long, 

 tapering to each end, plano-convex, wrinkled transversely; 

 back olive-green, with six rusty-red longitudinal stripes. 1, 

 belly greenish-yellow spotted with black ; 2, belly olive-green 

 not spotted. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The leech is employed to abstract blood, each leech re- 

 moving, directly and by subsequent haemorrhage, an average of 

 half an ounce of blood. Leeching is depletive, and to some 

 extent counter-irritant in effect ; and is employed in a variety 

 of congestive or inflammatory affections, superficial and vis- 

 ceral, as well as in cardiac distension and distress. 



Z 8 



