646 Preparations and Compositions. Part III.

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Empeastrum meloes vesicatorii ; olim Emplastrum vesi-

CATORIUM. Ed.

Plaster of Spanish Flies, formerly Blistering Plaster.Take of

Mutton suetj

Yellow wax,

Pine resin,

Canthnrides, each equal weights.Mix the cantharides, reduced to a fine powder, with the other

ingredients, previously melted, and removed from the fire.

In making these plasters, from an incautious application ofheat, the cantharides sometimes lose their vesicating powers;therefore it is customary, after the blister is spread, to coverits surface with powdered cantharides. The desired effect isalso more speedy and certain, if the part to which it is to beapplied be well bathed with hot vinegar ; and the blister ismore easily removed if a bit of thin gauze be interposed be-tween it and the skin.

EmpLaSTRUM calefaciens. Dub.Calejacient Plaster.Take of

Plaster of cantharides, one part;Burgundy pitch, seven parts.Melt together, with a moderate heat, and make into a plaster,

This is a very convenient plaster, being more active as astimulant and rubefacient than the simple Burgundy pitchplaster, while it will scarcely ever raise a blister.

Emplastrum meloes vesicatorii compositum. Ed.Compound Plaster of Spanish Flies.

Take of

Venice turpentine, eighteen parts ;

Burgundy pitch,

Cantharides, each twelve parts;

Yellow wax, four parts ;

Subacetite of copper, two parts;

Mustard seed,

Black pepper, each one part.

Having first melted the pitch and wax, add the turpentine,and to these, in fusion, and still hot, add the other ingre-dients, reduced to a fine powder, and mixed, and stir thewhole carefully together, so as to form a plaster.

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