442 ALOES 



ment, a cow got six ounces of aloes, partly in solution, partly 

 in electuary ; but although uneasiness and loss of appetite 

 were observed, the bowels remained unmoved. Gilbert 

 also gave six ounces, with an infusion of four ounces of senna 

 leaves, without effect. Sheep and goats take doses varying 

 from two drachms to an ounce without being speedily or 

 effectively purged. This tardy and uncertain action has 

 been attributed to the drug being delayed by the gastric 

 contents and to peristalsis of the bowel being more difficult 

 to excite in ruminants. 



For the dog, aloes, when given alone, is neither so speedy 

 nor so safe a cathartic as calomel, jalap, buckthorn, or castor 

 oil. It has also the disadvantage of occasionally producing 

 irritation of the rectum ; but this may, in great part, be 

 overcome by combining it with other purgatives. The dose 

 required to purge a dog is large when compared with that 

 administered either to man or to the horse. The doses of 

 most medicines for men and dogs are very similar ; but man 

 is purged by an eighth or tenth of the aloes requisite to 

 physic the dog. Aloes is a good though slowly acting 

 cathartic for swine. It operates usually in about twelve 

 or fifteen hours. 



MEDICINAL USES. Aloes is the purgative in general use 

 for horses. In dyspepsia, where the appetite is capricious, 

 the bowels irregular, the coat staring, or where there is 

 itching with swelling of the limbs, a dose of aloes is pre- 

 scribed, and generally followed by salines, acids, or bitters. 

 In torpidity of the bowels it is conjoined with nux vomica, 

 which stimulates peristalsis. In flatulent or spasmodic 

 colic it is prescribed either in bolus or rubbed down with 

 warm water, and followed with volatile oils, ethers, ammoni- 

 acal or other stimulants and antiseptics. Dick recommended 

 four or five drachms of aloes dissolved in a quart of hot 

 water, with an ounce each of oil of turpentine and laudanum. 

 Some colic cases are relieved by conjoining with the aloes 

 twenty minims of tincture of aconite. In obstinate tor- 

 pidity, eserine sulphate, conveniently given hypodermically, 

 promptly produces in most cases copious evacuations. 

 When the bowels are overloaded with indigestible food, 

 aloes is frequently given, but linseed oil and calomel are 



