Description.—About 20 to 25 m. m. long and about 6 mm. broad, flattish cylindrical, with filiform antennae, black in the upper part, and with long wing-sheaths, and ample membranous, transparent, brownish wings, elsewhere of a shining, coppery-green color. The powder is grayish-brown, and contains green shining particles. Odor strong and disagreeable; taste slight, afterwards irritating. Cantharides deteriorate with age and should be kept unpowdered in tightly stoppered bottles.
Dose.—Of the powdered fly, horses and cattle, 5 to 10 gr.; sheep and pigs, 3 to 6 gr.; dogs, 1⁄2 to 2 gr.
TINCTURA CANTHARIDIS—TINCTURE OF CANTHARIDES
Prepared by percolation of powdered cantharides, 100 parts, with alcohol to make 1000 parts.
Dose.—Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, 15 to 30 m.; dogs, 2 to 15 m.
Actions.—Externally, is rubefacient, irritant, vesicant, according to the strength used, it promotes water blister; counter-irritant, etc. Cantharides acts more powerfully on the skin of horses and dogs than on that of cattle and swine. If applied over an extensive surface, absorption and poisoning may occur.
Internally cantharides is an irritant, and produces its effects on any part which the free cantharidin is brought into contact. When swallowed it irritates the digestive mucous membrane; large doses produce gastro-enteritis. The active cantharidin is absorbed, and in the blood forms a non-irritant albuminoid, but in the kidneys is again liberated, developing its characteristic irritation, medical doses stimulating the urino-genital tract, causing diuresis, and in some animals increases sexual appetite; full doses induce inflammation, slow and painful discharge of bloody urine.
Uses.—Externally cantharides is employed as a blister rubefacient or as a counter-irritant; blisters are formed in from two to eight hours. If repeatedly used it may cause sloughing of the tissue; cantharides may be used wherever a blister or counter-irritant is required, except in inflammation of the urinary organs, as it is absorbed and will increase the inflammation. Cantharides conjoined with red mercurous iodide and adeps is usually employed in the treatment of diseases of the bones, joints, bursae, ligaments and tendons. In exostoses, as bone spavin and ring bone, used most effectively after the actual cautery, to secure absorption and resolution, or anchylosis. Always clip off the hair close before applying a blister, tie or muzzle the animal so he cannot bite it; leave blister on forty-eight hours, then wash and grease the parts daily. A cantharides blister is sometimes beneficial in hastening the formation of abscess (distemper); also to stimulate indolent ulcers or wounds; it causes swelling and closes the opening of small umbilical hernias of foals and calves. It is also valuable in closing and sealing punctured wounds into joints and synovial cavities. The tincture of cantharides can be applied once or twice daily, full strength, when the exudation of much serum is desired. Cantharides is seldom used internally except in incontinuence of urine from debility or partial paralysis of the bladder. Seldom used to increase sexual desire. The tincture of cantharides should be employed when the drug is administered internally.
CAPSICUM—RED PEPPER—CAYENNE PEPPER
The dried ripe fruit of Capsicum fastigiatum Blume deprived of its calyx.