412 MATERIA MEDIC A 



red colour, quite opaque, perfectly soluble in alcohol or water, 

 and has a less disagreeable smell than the others ; when reduced 

 to powder it is of a bright yellow colour ; it sells at a high price, 

 and is therefore not unfrequently adulterated. I have been so 

 often disappointed in the effect of Socotrine aloes*, or rather 

 what is commonly sold under that name, that I now always use 

 the Barbadoes^, which cannot so easily be adulterated without 

 detection. 



Barbadoes or Hepatic Aloes is brought from Barbadoes, 

 and has been generally considered as a rough medicine, very 

 liable to pi-oduce griping, and other unpleasant effects ; but I 

 have always found it a safe and eflficacious purgative. Barbadoes 

 aloes is of a darker colour than the former kind, not so clear and 

 brio;ht, less brittle, and of a strono-er and more disaoreeable 

 smell.| It is certainly more active than the Socotrine ; and, as 

 far as my experience goes, more certain in its operation : nor 

 have I ever found it produce those dangerous effects that have 

 been attributed to it, when given in a proper dose, and when 

 the horse is not neglected during its operation and is properly 

 prepared for it (see Cathartics): indeed, every kind of aloes is 

 liable to produce even fatal consequence if given too largely, or 

 if the horse be treated improperly while under their effect. 

 There is a peculiarity in the horse's intestines which renders 

 them more liable to be injured by })urgatives of every kind, 

 than those of any other doniestic animal : cathartic medicines 

 should therefore be always prepared by persons of judgment and 

 experience. 



Cape Aloes is rather transparent, and very brittle : it is 

 easily powdered, in which state it is of a bright yellow colour 

 wnth a Gfreenish tint : the odour arisino; from it is not so strongr 

 as the Barbadoes, but rather stronger and less agreeable than 

 the Socotrine. This kind is sold at a much lower price than the 

 others, but is weaker and more uncertain in its effect. The 

 dose of Barbadoes is from four drachms to six ; and of the Cape 

 from six to nine drachms. § 



Aloes generally operate more speedily when joined with soaj) 

 or either of i\\Q Jixed alkalies.^ In the old books on farriery, 



* In December 1805, Socotrine aloes was at about the same price, or cheaper, 

 than Barbadoes. 



f In 1823, Barbadoes aloes was vei-y scarce, and sold at from ten to twelve 

 shillings per pound ; Barbadoes aloes is now prescribed by many physicians, 

 and often used by apothecaries. 



\ There is an inferior kind called caballine or horse aloes, supposed to be 

 the refuse after the Barbadoes extract has been obtained. — Ed. 



§ There is another kind called Mocha aloes, on the action of which Mr. 

 Morton speaks favourably, regarding it as much superior to the Cajje. Jt 

 is not quite so strong as Barbadoes. 



II Mr. Morton considers that the purgative quality of aloes is lessened by 

 the addition of the alkalies, though it is thereby rendered more soluble, and 

 therefore (quicker in its effects. — Kd. 



