In this connection there is little to be said. Cantharides has often been known to excite both male and female animals sexually, and its abuse has induced many cases of bloody urine and strangury, inflammation of the kidneys, and even death.

Iodides have in some instances caused wasting of the testicles, and in the mare, to savin and ergot abortion has been attributed. Only in poisonous doses does the former so act upon the uterus, and the latter appears to be quite innocuous if we are to accept the conclusions of conscientious experimenters. It is probable that the tendency of ergot to diminish the calibre of the small blood-vessels and contract involuntary muscles may have some modifying influence upon the uterus in cases where labour pains or straining continue after parturition. Opium has also the effect of a sedative or anodyne upon the womb of the mare in cases of inflammation or undue excitement following upon foaling. Cocaine injected in solution, or introduced in form of pessary, also stays those expulsive efforts which too often result in inversion of the uterus, but its influence is very evanescent, and it is best employed as a temporary remedy while opium is gaining control of the parts implicated.