PROPERTIES.--Colorless, prismatic needles or scales, permanent in air, almost soluble in water, freely soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform and fixed and volatile oils; used frequently as an anaphrodisiac. DOSE.--Dogs, 2 to 10 gr. ACTIONS.--Antispasmodic or nerve stimulant, anodyne, antiseptic, diaphoretic, a stimulant, expectorant, a cerebral excitant or narcotic, a gastro-intestinal irritant, a rubefacient or counter-irritant and also carminative. It has an acrid hot taste, irritates the skin and mucous membrane, large doses causing gastro-intestinal inflammation. Medical doses stimulate the vaso-motor system and the cardiac-motor ganglia, and lessens the influence of the pneumogastric (inhibitory nerve); afterwards stimulates the accelerator apparatus, thus increasing the circulation and raising arterial tension; it also stimulates respiration, and in man stimulates mental activity even to intoxication. USES.--In catarrhal conditions, cough mixtures, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia. The spirits of camphor is used in colic mixtures; also locally to stop secretions of milk applied frequently; in cardiac weakness; strangury may be relieved by one to two ounce doses of the spirits for the horse. Spirits of camphor is used in Thumps. Camphor is a valuable medicine in diarrhoea, particularly in serious variety, and in that form following exposure to cold. It is not useful in inflammatory conditions, but checks secretions and pain. Spirit of camphor and nitrous ether are efficient in relieving irritation of the genito-urinary tract. Camphor has proven of service in purpura hemorrhagica of horses given three times daily in capsules or pills. CANTHARIS--CANTHARIDES--SPANISH FLY--BLISTER BEETLES DERIVATION.--Cantharides is obtained from flies which receive the name Spanish Fly on account of so many of them coming from Spain, but they are also imported from Germany and Russia; living chiefly on climbing shrubs and trees. 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.