ALOE 119 



cence is produced upon the addition of an aqueous solution of sodium 

 borate (i in 20). Dilute i mil of the original aqueous mixture of 

 Aloes with 100 mils of water, and shake it with 10 mils of benzene; 

 upon separating the benzene solution and adding to it 5 mils of 

 ammonia water a permanent deep rose color is produced in the lower 

 layer, U.S. P. IX. 



In the case of liquids it is best to evaporate about 10 mils, more or 

 less, to a pasty consistency in a porcelain dish, acidulate, and extract 

 from the dish with about 10 mils of ether by stirring with a glass rod 

 and pouring off the ether into a test-tube. With pills or other solid 

 material it is necessary only to powder, acidulate and extract as 

 described. To this extract an equal volume of saturated borax solu- 

 tion is added, etc., U.S.D.A. 



Preparation of A loin. From some varieties of aloes it is obtained by digesting 

 in alcohol for twenty-four hours; then boil, filter, and set aside to crystallize. Can 

 also be obtained by dissolving aloes (Barbadoes or Curacoa) in acidulated boiling 

 (HC1) water, and, when cold, resin will deposit; decant, evaporate, and set aside 

 for two weeks, when aloin will crystallize. Shaking the crystals with acetic ether 

 removes adhering resin. Dose: 2 to 5 gr. (0.12 to 0.32 Gm.). (See also 70 e.) 



ACTION AND USES. Cathartic and emmenagogue. As a cathartic aloes 

 is slow in action but certain, having a peculiar affinity for the large 

 intestine; it has produced beneficial effects as a cholagogue; as an 

 emmenagogue it is extensively employed in amenorrhcea. Dose: 

 2 to 5 gr. (0.13 to 0.3 Gm.). 



OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



Extractum Aloes, Dose: 3 to 10 gr. (0.2 to 0.6 Gm.). 



Tinctura Aloes (10 per cent, with 



glycyrrhiza 20 per cent.), 5 to 10 TTJJ (0.3 to 0.6 mil); ^ to 



4 fl. dr. (2 to 8 mils). 

 Tinctura Benzoini Composita (2 per 



cent, of aloes), 10 to 40 TTJJ (0.6 to 2.6 mils). 



Extractum Colocynthidis Composi- 



tum (50 per cent.), 5 to 25 gr. (0.3 to 1.6 Gm.). 



Pilulae Aloes (about 2 gr. in each pill) 2 to 5 pills. 



Pilulae Rhei Compositae (aloes i% 



gr. in each pill), i to 3 pills. 



70 e. ALOINUM. ALOIN (U.S. P. IX). A neutral principle from several vari- 

 eties of aloes, chiefly Barbadoes aloes (yielding barbaloin), CnHzoOi, and 

 Socotra or Zanzibar aloes (yielding socaloin), CisHieOy, U.S. P. Nataloin, 

 CieHigOT, while not official, is a similar product. Minute acicular crystals, 

 or a microcrystalline powder, yellow to yellowish-brown, of a slight odor 

 and characteristic bitter taste. Barbaloin, soluble in 470 parts of ether; 

 socaloin, soluble in 380 parts of ether. Both soluble in water and alcohol. 

 It is rapidly decomposed in alkaline solution. Dose: I gr. (o6 Gm.). Ash, 

 not more than 0.5 per cent. M 



71. XANTHORRHCEA. GUM ACAROIDES. BOTANY BAY RESIN. GRASS-TREE 

 RESIN. A spontaneous resinous exudation from the stems of different 

 shrubby Australian plants of the genus Xanthorrhoea. The yellow variety, from 

 X. hastitis R. Brown, resembles gamboge in appearance; externally reddish 

 yellow, internally a lighter yellow; odor agreeably balsamic, especially when 

 heated, when it emits a tolu-like odor; taste balsamic, somewhat acrid. The 

 red variety, from X. australis R. Brown, resembles dragon's blood in appearance, 

 being externally deep brown-red; internally bright red; fracture glossy. 



