CANTHAR′IDES

Syn. Spanish flies , Blistering f. , Lyt′tæ ; Canthar′is , B. P. The Cantharis vesica to ria of Latreille, commonly known as the Spanish fly, is an insect of the order Coleoptera; it abounds in the south of France, Spain, and Italy; and has spread into Germany and the south of Ru ia. When alive it exudes a strong fetid and penetrating odour. Pur., . These insects should be preserved in well-closed bottles or tin canisters. The addition of a few drops of oil of cloves, or of strong acetic acid, or even of a few cloves in substance, will preserve them unchanged for a length of time in closed ve els. The best proof of their goodne is the smell. The powder is constantly adulterated. The plan of the wholesale druggists is to sort out the most worthle flies for powdering, and to compensate for their deficiency of vesicating power by adding 1 lb. of euphorbium to every 12 or 13 lbs. of flies. When a superior article is required, liquorice powder is added (4 or 5 lbs. to every 14 lbs.), along with about 1 lb. of euphorbium, and sufficient blue black or charcoal to turn the yellow of the liquorice to a greenish colour. The best mode of detecting this adulteration is by the microscope. It should be borne in mind that only those flies which have attained their full growth po e blistering properties. The immature or undersized insects are destitute of epigastric power. Ant. An emetic of sulphate of zinc, followed by the stomach-pump, if nece ary. The vomiting may be promoted by copiously drinking warm bland diluents, such as broth, linseed tea, milk, . Friction on the spine, with volatile liniment and laudanum, and the subsequent administration of draughts containing musk, opium, and camphorated emulsion, have been strongly recommended. Tests. By the microscope very minute particles may be discovered in the stomach and intestines, on a post-mortem examination. Orfila thus found particles of cantharides in a body that had been interred nine months. Uses, . Spanish flies are used externally to raise blisters, and internally as a stimulant and diuretic, generally in the form of tincture. In exce they produce strangury, bloody urine, satyriasis, delirium, convulsions, and death. See Tinctures , Vesicants , .