Treatment of Cantharidal Poisoning.— There is no known antidote for this drug, and all toxic cases require to be treated in consonance with the indica tions afforded by each individual case; it frequently can be little beside pallia tive. The promotion of free vomiting is generally imperative, further fostering by means of warm demulcents and dilu ents; diluents are in order even after emesis has accomplished all possible. Bland oils have been suggested, but these are dangerous, since they are apt to sep arate the cantharidine, which is very soluble therein, and thereby enhance and hasten toxicity. Opium, even chloro form by inhalation, is sometimes de manded to allay the excruciating suf fering or to control convulsions. Opium enemas and frictions also will find place. Camphor often• alleviates the most dis tressing symptoms, and bromides may be required. The smallest amount of tincture known to have induced fatality is 1 ounce; of the powder, 48 grains.
Case of cystitis caused by the use of cantharides as a blister. The symptoms were of considerable severity. .1.ono bromated camphor was given both by the mouth and by enema; but no relief was obtained. The condition, however.
yielded promptly to the influence, of cocaine. .Albarran (Lancet, Lond., Dec. 12, '92).
Therapeutics.—The internal admin istration of cantharides finds less favor than it did half a century back, doubt less because of the many accidents that have followed its employment. Some years ago the tincture was lauded as a powerful depressant, contrastimulant. and antiphlogistic, and advised to be used in acute inflammation, but even the Italian physicians, who were the strong est supporters of the drug in this con nection, soon abandoned it for other and more safe medicaments. At present it finds its chief employment in the man agement of genitourinary disorders, and, among French physicians, in diseases of the skin and scalp. The late Dewees considered the tincture in doses of 10 minims, gradually increased to twice or thrice this amount, to be an absolute specific in amenorrhoea; but how he avoided symptoms of strangury, when administering the larger doses, consid ering the potent nature of the remedy. something of a mystery.