ALOES. 599 



Stroiigly Purging Ball. 



Barbadoes aloes ... ... ... ... 6 draclmis. 



Tartar emetic ... ... ... ... 2 „ 



Ginger ... ... ... ... ... 2 ,, 



Treacle or lard sufficient. 



If required for immediate use, a ball can be made up by adding 

 a little water to the powdered aloes, without any treacle or other 

 substance to make its particles adhere together. 



Heady-made balls of aloes can be obtained at any large chemist's 

 shop. 



Solution of Aloes. 



Powdered Barbadoes aloes ... .-,. 1 part. 



Water 7 parts. 



Spirits of wine ... ... ... ... 1 part. 



Dissolve the aloes with the water in a water bath, which con- 

 sists of a vessel placed inside another vessel containing water. 

 Care should be taken that the temperature of the solution does not 

 at any time rise beyond 120° F. " Exposure to a temperature ex« 

 ceeding 150° F. alters the composition of aloes and impairs its pur- 

 gative property" {Finlay Dun). When the aloes is dissolved, add 

 the spirits of wine. An ounce of this solution will contain a drachm 

 of aloes. 



If time be an object, the aloes for a drenoh may be dissolved in 

 a pint of warm water. 



A quarter more aloes than would be required for a ball should 

 be allowed for a drench, in order to make up for loss by spilling. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE BEFORE AND AFTER 

 GIVING ALOES. — For at least a day before the physic is adminis- 

 tered, the animal should be given only bran mashes and hay, and 

 the allowance of the latter should be somewhat restricted on the 

 last night. " The physic is given on an empty stomach, early in 

 the morning ; immediately afterwards a bran mash is given ; that 

 over, the horse goes to exercise for perhaps an hour, watered when 

 he returns. The water should be as warm as he will take it, and 

 he should have as much as he pleases throughout the day. Bran 

 mash should be given as often as corn usually is, and better warm 

 than cold ; if both are refused, bran may be tried, but no corn, and 

 but little hay. Sometimes gentle exercise may be given in the after- 

 noon, and also next day. The physic usually begins to operate next 

 morning, though it rarely takes effect in twelve hours, frequently 

 not for thirty. When the physic begins to operate, the horse should 

 stand in the stable till it sets, which may be twelve hours " (Dick). 



