CANTHARIDES 455 



rheumatism when placed over the affected area, or near .by, in acute 

 conditions. Furthermore, a cantharides blister is of advantage in acute 

 diseases of the ear, when rubbed in above and behind this organ ; and will 

 relieve pain in the stomach, and vomiting when applied to the epi- 

 gastrium. 



Cantharides is the remedy usually employed in the treatment of dis- 

 eases of the bones, joints, bursas, ligaments, and tendons. In exostoses, 

 as spavin and ringbone, the ointment is used most effectively after the 

 actual cautery, to secure absorption and resolution, or anchylosis. Can- 

 tharidal ointment is often sufficient, together with complete rest, in the 

 treatment of synovitis, and strains of tendons and ligaments. A can- 

 tharides blister is, sometimes, beneficial in hastening the formation of 

 abscesses ("strangles"); or to aid their resolution after paracentesis; 

 also to stimulate indolent ulcers or wounds ; and to assist absorption of 

 traumatic indurations, when applied around these lesions. The actual 

 cautery, followed by a cantharides blister, will cause swelling and dose 

 the opening in the abdominal parietes of small umbilical hernias of foals 

 and calves. 



Likewise, blisters are valuable in closing and sealing punctured 

 wounds into joints and synovial cavities.* Cantharides is commonly em- 

 ployed in ointment (1 to 4- to 8) made by melting and mixing the excipi- 

 ents in a double boiler; i.e., over a water bath, and stirring in thor- 

 oughly the powdered drug. The following is a good preparation : 



Pulv. cantharidis. 



Cerae flav aa S"- 



Adipis 5xiv. 



M. 



S. External use. 



More powerful are the following: 



Pulverls cantharidis. 



Pulveris euphorbii aa 3ii. 



Hydrarg. chloridi corros 3i. 



Petrolati gi. 



Cerati giss. 



M. et fiat unguentum. 



Sig. Apply externally as directed. 



Pulveris cantharidis. 



Hydrargyri iodidi rubri aa 3ii- 



Adipis oii- 



M. et fiat unguentum. 



Sig. Apply externally as directed. 



The technique of blistering consists in cutting the hair and washing 

 the part to be blistered, and rubbing the blister long and thoroughly into 



*The U. S. P. cerate may be used, as it is a powerful preparation. Its 

 strength is 82 per cent, cantharides. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



