598 MEDICINES. 



irritation of the bowels- — which may be shown by diarrhoea or by the 

 jDresence of mucus in the dung — and, generally, if there be existing 

 any acute affection of the chest or air-passages, purgation is easily 

 excited by a moderate dose of aloes. Hence, it should not be used 

 as long as these conditions are present. 



For a hunter or trapper, 4J or 5 drachms will usually be suffi- 

 cient as a purgative ; though 6 drachm.s may be given in England 

 to a cart-horse, which in Scotland may safely get an ounce. In 

 India I have usually found 4 to 4J drachms quite enough for an ordi- 

 nary animal. 



MODES OF ADMINISTRATION.— In most cases I would advise 

 that the aloes should be given in a ball (p. 628) instead of in a 

 drench ; for in drenching there is danger of a part of the fluid 

 getting spilt. If this occurs, it will generally be difficult to tell 

 how much has escaped. Aloes is nearly, if not quite, as rapidly 

 absorbed in a solid as it is in a fluid state; and, if given in the 

 former condition, no uncertainty can exist as to the quantity 

 swallowed. 



If a physic ball does not act in a day or two, a second bolus should 

 on no account be given for at least a week, lest severe if not fatal 

 superpurgation may ensue. The same rule should be observed if 

 a ball breaks up in a horse's mouth. We should remember that 

 the longer aloes takes to act, the greater is the danger of super- 

 purgation (p. 425). 



If possible, aloes should not be given, imless the animal is pro- 

 perly prepared for the physic (see next page). 



Aloes should not be given, as a rule, if the horse is in slings, 

 which might exert injurious pressure on the abdomen. 



Alterative Ball. 



Barbadoes aloes ... ... ... ... 1^ drachm. 



Tartar emetic ... ... ... ... 1 ,, 



Nitre ... ... ... ... ... 3 drachms. 



Treacle or lard sufficient to form a ball. 



Ordinary Physic Ball. 



Barbadoes aloes ... ... ... ... 5 drachms. 



Ginger ... 2 „ 



Treacle or lard sufficient to make a ball. 



The presence of the ginger appears to increase the action of the 

 uloeSj and to diminish the chance of griping. 



