Liquor Epispasticus.—Blistering Liquid.
Related entry: Cantharis (U. S. P.)—Cantharides
SYNONYM: Linimentum cantharidis.
Preparation.—"Take of cantharides, in powder, 5 ounces (av.); acetic ether, a sufficiency. Mix the cantharides with 3 fluid ounces of acetic ether; pack in a percolator, and, at the expiration of 24 hours, pour acetic, ether over the contents of the percolator, and allow the solution to pass slowly through until 20 fluid ounces are obtained. Keep the liquid in a stoppered bottle"—(Br. Pharm., 1885). The preparation of the British Pharmacopoeia (1898) has twice the strength of the above.
Action and Medical Uses.—This is designed for rapid vesication of the parts to which it is applied. It should be used only upon limited areas, and rubbed upon the skin by means of a sponge, or like body, having a handle attached. When the parts become red, enough has been used to raise a blister.
