444 ALOES INFUSIONS, TINCTURES, EXTRACTS 



Aloes should be avoided in irritation or inflammation of 

 the alimentary canal, and in piles or haemorrhage from the 

 rectum ; in bronchitis, inflammatory affections of mucous 

 membranes or the skin, in inflammation of the kidneys, and 

 in influenza. In such cases if used at all, it must be with 

 great caution ; for in these diseases the intestinal mucous 

 membrane is unusually irritable, and superpurgation is 

 readily induced. During pregnancy, both in the mare and 

 bitch, the violent operation of aloes must be carefully 

 avoided. Some practitioners give it to both foals and 

 calves, but for these young animals linseed or castor oil, or 

 a mixture of the two, is more suitable. 



As a bitter aloes is occasionally prescribed in enfeebled 

 and relaxed conditions of the alimentary canal, and where 

 there is suspicion of intestinal worms. It is sometimes 

 applied externally, as a gentle stimulant and desiccant, and 

 is an ingredient of the once famous friar's balsam. (See 

 Benzoin.) 



DOSES, etc. Horses receive 3ij- to 3 vu J-> the dose depend- 

 ing upon the rapidity and degree of catharsis required. For 

 foals several months old, the dose may be readily ascertained 

 by allowing grs. v. for every week of the patient's age. 

 Cattle take i. to gij. ; sheep, gss. to i. ; dogs, grs. xxx. 

 to 3i ss - ; an( i swine, 3J- to "^iv. 



As a tonic, the dose of aloes for any of the domesticated 

 animals is about an eighth or tenth of that given as a 

 purgative. Tonic doses may be administered daily, or 

 every second day, in combination with other bitters and 

 aromatics. A convenient laxative for the horse is made 

 with two drachms each of aloes, gentian, and ginger, made 

 into a ball with treacle. Another is prepared with a 

 drachm each of aloes and iron sulphate, and half an ounce of 

 ginger, made up with treacle and linseed meal. Either of 

 these may be repeated daily, or every second day. 



Aloes is generally administered in ball or in watery 

 solution. A ball for immediate use is made with freshly- 

 powdered aloes, mixed with about one-eighth of ginger, and 

 made up with soft soap, lard, glycerin, or vaseline. The 

 physic mass of the Edinburgh Veterinary College was com- 

 posed of equal weights of Barbados aloes and treacle, 



