CANTHARIS — CANTHARIDES 337 



ination. In the former there are symptoms of severe irritation of 

 the gastro-intestinal canal, burning in the mouth and throat, ab- 

 dominal pain, dysphagia, thirst, ptyalism, vomiting and purging of 

 bloody mucus. Prominent among the symptoms of irritation of 

 the genito-urinary tract are pain in the lumbar region, frequent 

 urination, vesicle tenesmus, with passages of a few drops of bloody 

 albuminous urine, and in males, priapism. Erotic excitement some- 

 times taJses place and abortion may follow from the results of the 

 irritation of the drug upon the pelvic organs. 



Treatment. Evacuate the stomach and relieve the local condi- 

 tions by the free use of demulcents. Administer some anodyne to 

 combat the pain. Avoid fatty substances, since they tend to dis- 

 solve the cantharidin and favor its absorption. The strangury may 

 be treated by applying hot packs to the posterior part of the abdo- 

 men. 



Therapeutics. Externally. It is chiefly used as a vesicant 

 and counter-irritant. The action is too slow and irritating and the 

 danger from absorption too great for use as a counterirritant over 

 large areas (chest and abdomen) in pneumonia, pleurisy, colic, etc. 

 Mustard, turpentine and heat are to be preferred for these diseases. 

 A cantharideal blister is often serviceable in acute inflammation of 

 the brain or the meninges and should be applied over the region of 

 the poll. It may also be useful in acute laryngitis when applied to 

 the throat, or for paraplegia when applied over the diseased parts. 



Cantharides is the remedy most often used for counterirritation 

 in cases of rheumatism of muscles or joints, placed over the diseased 

 parts or, if the disease is acute, near by. It is also often prescribed 

 for the treatment of disease of the bones, joints, ligaments, bursse, 

 tendons, etc. In diseases of the bones with exostosis, a blister is 

 usually applied after the use of the actual cautery, while in many 

 oases a strong blister, combined with complete rest will often relieve 

 these conditions. 



A cantharidin or other blister is often serviceable in closing an 

 open joint. According to some authorities they are also used to 

 close small umbilical hernias. 



As a stimulant to the growth of hair in alopecia. Here it is 

 usually employed in the form of the tincture. 



Internally. Cantharides is rarely used internally, but may be 

 of service in incontinence of the urine, due to relaxation of the neck 

 of the bladder, and as a stimulant in cystitis and pyelitis. It has 

 been recommended as an aphrodisiac, but the necessary doses for this 

 action are unsafe. 



Administration. Eor internal use the tincture should be em- 

 ployed. For external purposes, it is usually mixed with some fatty 

 material, volatile oil or alcohol, and applied as an ointment or lini- 

 ment. 



