438 MEDICINES. 



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 all times, and the Barba- 

 does in frosty weather, when enough should be prepared, to be 

 kept in closed bottles, for the year's 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 arc 

 put into the mortar. In the proportion of fifteen ounces of the 

 powder mixed with one ounce of powdered gmger, and beaten up 

 with eight ounces of palm oil, and afterwards divided into the 

 proper doses, it will fotm a purging mass more effectual, and 

 much less likely to gripe, than any that can be procured by melt- 

 ing the drug. If the physic 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 kept more than two or three months, for, 

 after that time, it rapidly loses its purgative property. 



Directions for physicking will be found at page 224. 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 care- 

 fully exercised, and will drink plenty of warm water, the Cape 

 may be ventured on, or at least mixed with equal quanties 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 com- 

 pounds with aloes alters the results of the medicine. The action 

 is quickened, but their purgative properties 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, 



