MEDICINAL USES 441 



In the horse, a cathartic dose generally causes in a few 

 hours dryness and increased warmth of the mouth ; a rise 

 of one or even two degrees in temperature occasionally 

 occurs ; the pulse is somewhat quickened ; nausea, colic, 

 and copious secretion of urine may result. Such diuresis 

 occurs sometimes with good Barbados aloes, especially when 

 the bowels are constipated, and more commonly with in- 

 ferior specimens of Cape and other kinds, in which the aloin 

 has been converted into resin. Combination with jalap, 

 calomel, and other purgatives, usually counteracts this 

 diuretic tendency. Combination with ginger or other 

 aromatic, or with hyoscyamus or belladonna, wards off 

 nausea and straining. The purgative effect is usually 

 accelerated and increased by giving the drug in solution, 

 or conjoined with oil or calomel, and combination with an 

 alkali or a small dose of an iron salt increases its action. 



The time required for the operation of aloes differs con- 

 siderably in different horses, being modified by various cir- 

 cumstances, especially by the previous feeding. Four to six 

 drachms generally operate in sixteen to twenty-four hours. 

 The degree and continuance of the action are also liable to 

 variation ; in some horses purging is over in two or three 

 hours ; in others it extends over twenty-four hours. When 

 aloes fails to move the bowels it is seldom wise to prescribe 

 another dose until forty-eight hours have elapsed. A second 

 dose too closely following the first is liable to cause nausea or 

 superpurgation. If more physic should be deemed abso- 

 lutely necessary, oil and a little calomel may be given, and 

 enemata should be diligently used. In order to prevent 

 superpurgation, which even ordinary doses of aloes and 

 other cathartics occasionally produce in horses, it is im- 

 portant, until purging has ceased, that the quantity of cold 

 water allowed be carefully regulated, and that the animal, 

 although at walking exercise, be not put to work. Neglect 

 of such precautions may lead not only to superpurgation 

 but to enteritis and congestion of the feet. 



Ruminants are neither promptly nor powerfully purged 

 by aloes alone. When given to cattle, even in the fluid 

 state, and in doses of several ounces, it fails to produce 

 copious evacuations. Hertwig mentions that, in an experi- 



