cantharides

American  

[kan-thar-i-deez] / kænˈθær ɪˌdiz /

plural noun

singular

cantharis

1. Spanish fly.

2. cantharis. Spanish fly.

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cantharides British  

/ kænˈθærɪˌdiːz /

plural noun

1. Also called: Spanish fly.  a diuretic and urogenital stimulant or irritant prepared from the dried bodies of Spanish fly (family Meloidae, not Cantharidae ), once thought to be an aphrodisiac

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Etymology

Origin of cantharides

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin, plural of cantharis < Greek kantharís blister fly

Example Sentences

A cantharides blister may be applied, or the following ointment used: Biniodid of mercury 1 part, lard 6 parts; mix.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

The mucus of the bladder is increased by cantharides, and perhaps by oil of turpentine.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

In rare cases either albumen or sugar has been detected; the former may have been due to the action of blisters of cantharides used in the treatment of the disease.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

The peppers, especially cubebs, I have thought serviceable, and very minute doses of cantharides have seemed to be attended with benefit.

From The Dog by Dinks

As early as 1826, Bretonneau, by the introduction of tincture of cantharides and olive oil into the trachea, succeeded in producing a "dense, elastic, reed-like membranous concretion."

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various