Oil the Use and Abuse of Purgatives, 11 



let a Horse stand for hours over food which he loaths, (as the oraiuary 

 custom is) in consequence of the sickness which the medicine has 

 produced. 



The different kinds of AIoe» which are employed for Physickino- 

 Horses are five in number, viz. the CabaUne, the Barbadoes, the 

 Hepatic, the Soccotorine, and the Cape. 



The Cabahne is a strong coarse kind of Aloes, which fortunately 

 is but seldom brought to market. The Barbadoes is the sort most 

 commonly in use for Horses, is more speedy and rather more cer- 

 tain in its operation than tlie three latter kinds, but objectionable 

 nevertheless, on account of its griping nauseating qualities. The 

 Hepatic is extremely mild, inert, and so uncertain in its operation^ 

 as to be rendered ineligible as a purgative for Horses. The Soc- 

 cotoi;ine and the Cape are both equally mild and proper. The 

 latter sort is indeed most commonly sold and substituted for the 

 former, and not unfrequently so by some Apothecaries who are not 

 aware of the difference. All Horses may be certainly and safely 

 purged by means of the Soccotorine or Cape Aloes, but the imper- 

 fect and injudicious means which are commonly adopted of preparing 

 t!i£ bowels of the Horse, for the operatfon of the Physic, joined to 

 the usual impatience of the Attendants on such occasions, often 

 frustrate the intended purpose of the medicine— And it happens 

 now and then that the Groom despairing of the Physic doing its 

 duty, desists from giving the Horse exercise, and all further at- 

 tempts to assist its operation, under the impression of the medicine, 

 being too mild to produce the proper effect— Whereas a persistance 

 in gentle exercise, repeated at intervals, would, in most cases, en- 

 sure the proper operation of the Purgative. Sometimes too, it must 



