CATSTTHAEIDES 645 



enough absorption of cantharidin to induce lumbar pain, 

 followed by frequent, scanty and painful micturition (stran- 

 gury). The urine is albuminous and of ben bloody. Can- 

 tharides is eliminated chiefly by the kidneys, buj; also to 

 some extent by the other excretory organs, including the 

 skin. Sexual excitement may be present in poisoning. It 

 is more common with small than large toxic doses. There 

 are erections and great heat in the penis, and even inflam- 

 mation and sloughing of the organ. Abortion is precipitated 

 in the pregnant, and " heat " is hastened in the non- 

 pregnant female. Stupor, coma, and collapse close the scene 

 after lethal doses. Twenty grains of cantharides have killed 

 a man ; forty, a dog ; and one drachm has destroyed a horse. 



The treatment includes the use of emetics or the stomach 

 pump; opium, to relieve pain and strangury ; albuminous, 

 mucilaginous drinks ; and, in collapse, external heat, alco- 

 holic stimulants, strychnine and atropine under the skin. 

 Oils and fats dissolve cantharidin and must not be given in 

 poisoning as demulcents. 



Post- Mortem Appearances. — Swelling, congestion, ecchy- 

 moses, and erosion of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane 

 are observed after death by cantharides. There are, more- 

 over, lesions of acute nephritis and cystitis, with inflam- 

 mation of the whole genito-urinary mucous membran©. 

 Hypersemia of the brain and spinal cord have also been 

 reported. 



Uses External. — Cantharides is employed more frequently 

 than any other counter-irritant, to cause blistering, in veter- 

 inary practice. The reader is referred to ,the section on 

 counter-irritants (p. 696) for an account of their actions. 

 The" action of cantharides is too tardy and irritating, and 

 there is too much danger of absorption and poisoning to 

 recommend it for the production' of counter-irritation over 

 an extensive area (chest and abdomen) in acute pulmonary 

 . congestion, pneumonia, bronchitis, colic, enteritis and 

 peritonitis. Mustard, turpentine, and external heat are 

 generally preferable^ in these disorders. 



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