Note 445 — PHARMACOLOGIA. (continued 2)

Not less than sixteen species of the genus Cantharis have already been discovered in this country, by the industry of our Entomologists; most, if not all, of which possess vesicating powers. Of these the most common is the Lytta vittata, or potatoe fly. The medicinal virtues of this insect were first discovered in 1797, and found to be fully equal to those of the Spanish fly. Dr. Barton says “from frequent employment of the two articles, I cannot hesitate to prefer the American to the foreign fly. Long keeping, provided it be carefully kept, does not materially impair the blistering property of the Lytta vittata. At the end of three or four years after being collected, I have found it equal in power to the shop Cantharides.” By the late Dr. Dana, Prof. of Chemistry in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New-York, the Lytta vittata was made the subject of analysis, and found to contain Cantharidin. Ed.