THE USE OF THE MYLABRIS CICIIORII. 
G5 
these organs is neutral, are at once entitled to favour. The 
proportions I have adopted, are, one part of Mylabris to 
thirty of oil. The beetles are finely powdered, and in every 
other way they are treated as is usual in the preparation of 
the 01. Cantharidis. I subjoin the comparative cost of 
each. It must be remembered that there is considerable 
absorption of the oil in the Cantharides compound, on 
account of the bulk of flies used ; this therefore is a loss 
which, estimated at eight ounces, in the annexed formulae, 
further recommends to our notice the Mylabris Cichorii. 
01. Olivge (sec.), Ovj . 
Mylabris Cic., ^iv . . 
To Professor Morton. 
s. d. 
4 0 01. Olivse (sec.), Ovj . . 
2 4 Cantliaris P., ^xv . . . 
6 4 
I am, my dear sir, 
Very faithfully yours. 
s. cl. 
4 0 
6 0 
10 0 
[Mr. T. Hurford to whom the profession is indebted for 
the introduction of this blistering beetle to their notice, has 
stated, as one of its advantages, that it does not sensibly 
affect the kidneys when applied externally, from which the 
absence of Cantharidin might be inferred ; but this is not 
the case, the reason probably is, the smallness of the quan- 
tity of the agent required to act as a vesicant; and hence, as 
expressed by Mr. Cartledge, its influence on these organs is 
“ neutral.” 
Pereira, in his work on the ‘ Elements of Materia Medica 
says, that 
“ 1. Cantharidin ( Vesicaiorin ; Cantharides- Camphor) — has 
been found in Cantharides vesicatoria , Lytta vittata, Mylabris 
Cichorii , and other vesicating insects. Probably it exists in 
all the blistering beetles. To procure it, concentrate an 
alcoholic tincture (prepared by percolation) and set aside : 
the cantharidin slowly crystallizes. It is purified by wash- 
ing with cold alcohol, and boiling with alcohol and animal 
charcoal. Its properties are as follows: — It crystallizes in 
the form of micaceous plates, which are fusible, forming a 
yellow oil, which by a stronger heat is vaporizable, forming 
white vapours: these subsequently condense into acicular crys- 
tals of cantharidin. Dana regards it as an organic alkali, but 
without any just grounds ; for it will not restore the blue 
colour of litmus paper reddened by an acid. Gmelin’s 
opinion, that it is a solid volatile oil, seems to be correct. 
When isolated, it is not soluble in water, but becomes so by 
xxvm. 9 
