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cantharides

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
cantharis
[kan′thäris] pl. cantharides
Etymology: Gk, kantharis, beetle
the dried insect Cantharis vesicatoria, which contains cantharidin, formerly used as a topical vesicant to remove warts. It is used as an aphrodisiac. Also called Spanish fly.

cantharides (kan·thärˑ··dēzˈ),
n the dried body of
Lytta vesicatoria, a blister beetle that belongs to genus
Lytta; active principle in cantharides is cantharidin, used as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and rubifacient.

cantharides
substance obtained from dried beetles (Cantharis vesicatoria) and used topically as a counterirritant. African cattle have been poisoned by drinking water contaminated by flies. They show excitement, diarrhea and nephritis. Called also blistering beetle, Spanish fly.


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Among his surviving holograph manuscripts is an essay on the relative efficacy of different aphrodisiacs: viper wine is "powerfull," cantharides (better known today as Spanish fly) "mighteleye provokes, butt is dangerous," and foods such as lamb's testicles, sparrow's brains, "All younge meates," chestnuts, and melons are effective provokers of lust.
 
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