CANTIIAEIDES 643 



its rapid decomposition. Intra venoi\s injection is most ef- 

 fective in solutions of 1 to 10,000, or more dilute, in normal 

 salt solution. Subcutaneous injection is somewhat uncertain 

 owing to slow absorption, through vascular constriction. But 

 the 1-1,000 solution (Bf;, 3i. ; D., lUx.) may be injected deep 

 into the muscle with certain effect and without irritation. 

 A stronger solution than 1 to 10,000 may cause an abscess 

 if the drug be given hypodermically. The doses of adrenalin 

 chloride in.l to 1000 solution are: Dogs, 111,10.-60. (0.6-4.0) ; 

 horses, 3 1-4 (1.-15.)* Adrenalin should be repeated once in 

 two hours when given internally as an hemostatic. 



Caitthaeis. Cantharides. (U. S. &B. P.) 



Synonym. — Spanish flies, blister beetles, muscse hispan- 

 ica?, E. ; cantharides, Fr. ; spanische fliegen, canthariden, G. ; 

 cantharides, P.G. 



Cantharis is the beetle, Cantharis vesicatoria De Geer 

 (class Insecta; order Coleoptera). 



Habitat. — Southern Europe, Germany and Eussia; 

 liviiig chiefly on Oleacese and Capri foliacese. 



Description. — About 25 Mm. long and 6 Mm. broad; 

 flattish cylindrical, with filiform antennae, black in the upper 

 part, and with long wing-cases, and ample, membranous, 

 transparent, brownish wings, elsewhere of a shining, cop- 

 pery-green color. The powder is grayish-brown, and con- 

 tains green shining particles. Odor strong and disagreeable ; 

 taste slight, afterwards acrid.. 



Constituents. — 1, the active principle is cantharidin, 

 C10H12O4 (2 per cent), in colorless scales, insoluble in 

 water, soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, oils, acetic acid 

 and acetic ether ; it is found chiefly in the generative organs, 

 eggs, and blood of the beetles; 2, a volatile oil; 3, a bland, 

 green oil; 4, acetic and uric acids, extractives and salts; 

 cantharides deteriorates with age and should be kept un- 

 powdered in tightly stoppered bottles. 



Dose.—K. & C., gr.v.-xx. (.3-1.3) ; Sh. & Sw., gr.iv.- 

 viii. (.25-.5) ; D., gr.i.-ii. (.06-.12). 



*The high cost of adrenalin forbids its use for horses, save in ex- 

 ceptional cases. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



