|f)0 MEDICINE. 



, and are the juice of the large leaves of the aloe boiled to a considerable 

 thickness, and ihen poured into gourds in which they gradually harden. The true 

 Cape are the extract of a species of aloes chiefly cultivated at the Cape of Good 

 Hope. The Barbadoes aloes are black, with a shade of brown, of an unctuous feel 

 ing, with a stronger smell, broken with difficulty, and the fracture dull. The Cape 

 are darker coloured, stranger smelling, very brittle, and the fracture perfectly glossy 

 Every veterinary surgeon who uses much aloes should buy them in the mass, and 

 powder them at home, and then, by attending to this account of the difference of the 

 two, he can scarcely be imposed upon. It is, however, the fact, that these are mostly 

 adulterated, by their being melted together. Aloes purchased in powder are too often 

 sadly adulterated. 



The Cape aloes may be powdered at ail times, and the Barbadoes in frosty wea- 

 ther, when enough should be prepared, to be kept in closed bottles, for the year'* 

 consumption. They may also be powdered when they have been taken from the 

 gourd, and exposed to a gentle heat for two or three hours before they are put into 

 the mortar. In the proportion of fifteen ounces of the powder mixed with one ounce 

 of powdered ginger, and beaten up with eight ounces of palm oil, and afterwards 

 divided into the proper doses, it will form a purging mass more effectual, and much 

 less likely to gripe, than any that can be procured by melting the drug. If the phy- 

 sic is given in the shape of a ball, it more readily dissolves in the stomach, and more 

 certainly and safely acts on the bowels when mingled with some oily matter, like 

 that just recommended, than when combined with syrup or honey, which are apt to 

 ferment, and be themselves the cause of gripes. It is also worse than useless to add 

 any diuretic to the mass, as soap or carbonate of soda. The action of these on one 

 set of organs will weaken that of the aloes on another. A physic mass should never 

 be kt,pt more than two or three months, for, after that time, it rapidly loses its purga- 

 tive property. 



Directions for physicking will be found at page 237. We will only add that, as a 

 promoter of condition, the dose should always be mild. A few fluid stools will be 

 sufficient for every good purpose. Violent disease will alone justify violent purging. 



The Barbadoes aloes have a greater purgative power than the Cape, exclusive of 

 griping less and being safer. In addition to this, the action of the bowels is kept up 

 longer by the Barbadoes aloes than by the Cape. If the horse is well mashed, and 

 carefully exercised, and will drink plenty of warm water, the Cape may be ventured 

 on, or at least mixed with equal quantities of the Barbadoes ; but if there is any neglect 

 of preparation for physic, or during the usual operation of the physic, the Cape are 

 not always to be depended upon. The combination of alkaline compounds with aloes 

 alters the results of the medicine. Their action is quickened, but their purgative pro- 

 perties are impaired, and they cease to operate specifically on the larger intestines. 

 Such is the opinion of Professor Morton, and undoubtedly the latter would be an 

 advantage gained. The activity of the aloes may be occasionally increased by a few 

 drops of the croton oil. Mashes are useful helps when physic is administered. 



Some persons are fond of what are called half-doses of physic. Three or four 

 drachms are given on one day, and three or four on the following ; and perhaps, if the 

 medicine has not operated, as in this divided state it will not always, two or three 

 additional drachms are given on the third day. The consequence is, that the bowels 

 having been rendered irritable by the former doses, the horse is over-purged, and 

 inflammation and death occasionally ensue. In physicking a horse, whatever is to 

 be done should be done at once. Whatever quantity is intended to be given should 

 be given in one dose. 



The system of giving small doses of aloes as alteratives is not good. These repeated 

 minute doses lodging in some of the folds of the intestines, and at length uniting, often 

 produce more effect than is desirable. It is never safe to ride a horse far or fast, with 

 even a small dose of aloes within him. 



Most of all objectionable is the custom of giving small doses of aloes as a nauseant. 

 in inflammation of the lungs. There is so much sympathy between the contents of 

 the chest and the belly in the horse, and inflammation of one part is so likely to be 

 transferred to another, that it is treading on very dangerous ground, when, with inuch 

 inflammation cf the lungs, that is given which will stimulate and may inflame th 

 Intestines 



