MEDICINES 383 



Aloes are most commonly, because most easily, admim'stered in the 

 form of ball, but in a state of solution their effect is more speedy, effec- 

 tual, and safe. Two ounces of aloes, and one ounce of gum (to suspend 

 the imperfectly dissolved portion of the aloes), are put into a pint of 

 boiling water, and the mixture frequently stirred. When it is cold, two 

 ounces of tincture are added, as an aromatic, to prevent the griping of 

 the aloes, and also to keep the mixture from fermenting. The aloes must 

 not be boiled in the water ; even five minutes' boiling would take away 

 much of the purgative effect of the drug. The dose of the solution should 

 vary from six to eight ounces. 



Aloes are useful in the form of tincture. Eight ounces of powdered 

 aloes, and one ounce of powdered myrrh, should be put into two quarts of 

 rectified spirit, diluted with an equal quantity of water. The mixture 

 should be daily well shaken for a fortnight, and then suffered to stand, 

 that the undissolved portion may fall to the bottom. This will constitute 

 a very excellent application for wounds, whether recent or of long standing, 

 and indisposed to heal. It is not only a gentle stimulant, but it forms a 

 thin crust over the wound, and shields it from the action of the air. 



The principal adulteration of aloes is by means of resin, and the altera- 

 tion of colour is concealed by the addition of charcoal, or lamp black. 

 This adulteration is easily enough detected, by dissolving the aloes in hot 

 water. All aloes contain gome resinous matter, which the water will not 

 dissolve, and which has very slight purgative effect. The excess of this 

 resin at the bottom of the solution will mark the degree of adulteration. 



Alteratives are a class of medicines the nature and effect of which are 

 much misunderstood, and which are liable to much abuse. It is a very con- 

 venient name to excuse that propensity to dose the horse with medicines, 

 which is the disgrace of the groom, and the bane of the stable. By alteratives 

 we understand those drugs which effect some slow change in the diseased 

 action of certain parts without interfering with the food or work ; but by 

 common consent the term seems to be confined to medicines for the 

 diseases of the circulation, or of the digestive organs, or of the skin. 

 If a horse is heavy and incapable of work from too good keep, or if 

 he is off his food from some temporary indigestion — or if he has mange 

 or grease, or cracked heels, or swelled legs, a few alteratives are pre- 

 scribed, and the complaint is gradually and imperceptibly removed. 

 For all skin affections there is no better alterative than that so often 

 recommended in this treatise, consisting of black antimony, nitre, and 

 sulphur. If there is any tendency to grease, two drachms of resin may be 

 added to each ball. If the complaint be accompanied by weakness, a 

 little gentian and ginger may be further added, but we enter our protest 

 against the ignorant use, and almost against the use in the most skilful 

 hands, of mercury in any form, or any of the mineral acids or mineral 

 tonics, or heating spices, as alteratives. We indeed should be pleased if 

 we could banish the term alterative altogether. The mode of proceeding 

 which reason and science would dictate is to ascertain the nature and 

 degree of the disease, and then the medicine which is calculated to restore 

 the healthy action of the part, or, of the frame generally. 



Alum is occasionally used internally in cases of super-purgation in 

 the form of alum-whey, two drachms of the powder being added to a pint 

 of hot milk ; but there are much better astringents, although this may 

 succeed when others fail. If alum is added to a vegetable astringent, as 

 oak-bark, the power of both is diminished. Its principal use is external. 

 A solution of two drachms to a pint of water forms alone, or with a 

 scruple of white vitriol, a very useful wash for cracked heels, and for 



