CANTHAEIDE8 647 



Pulv. Cantharidis. 



Cereeflav; aaiii. 



jj_-^<^P>« Ixiv. 



S. External use. 



More powerful ointmeuts are made with powdered eupho- 

 biam and cantharides, each 2 parts; corrosive sublimate, 1 

 part ; Taseline, 8 parts ; cerate, 12 parts ; or, 



Tar and resin, each 4 parts ; yellow wax, 3 parts ; cotton- 

 seed oil, 10 parts ; powdered euphorbium, 2 parts ; canthar- 

 ides, 6 parts. 



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 skin. The animal should 

 be controlled by tying up the head, or using a cradle, or 

 side-bar attached to the halter and surcingle, to prevent 

 horses from biting the blistered area. The tail should be 

 tied up if the blister is applied within its reach. Dogs 

 should be muzzled,' but are apt to rub the sore spot. The 

 serum discharged from the blister must be continually 

 sponged off with soap suds and water, to prevent excoriation 

 of the subadjacent skin, or the latter may be covered with a 

 solution of resin in alcohol, by means of a brush. 



The blister is washed off in 36 or 48 hours after its 

 application, and vaseline should thereafter be kept on the 

 part. The use of cantharidal blisters is contraindicated in 

 weak or young animals ; ou the flexures of joints ; or deli- 

 cate skin on the inner aspect of the upper part of the limbs ; 

 on acutely inflamed areas ; and in renal disease. 



Uses . Internal. — Cantharides is rarely administered 

 internally. It is sometimes successful in stopping incon- 

 tinence of urine, when due to relaxation of the neck of the 

 bladder, and it may be used as a stimulant in chronic 

 cystitis and pyelitis. Cantharides is recommended to 

 increase sexual desire in cows and mares, but it has usually 

 to be given in toxic doses to produce an aphrodisiac action. 

 The tincture should be employed when the drug is exhibited 

 internally. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



