278 Considerations on the Bitterness of Vegetables. 



modified very often under the influence of very stimulating medi- 

 cines. Be this as it may, I have had recourse to aloes in three 

 cases of very serious blue cholera, and the success has surpassed ray 

 expectations. The first case was that of a man of fifty years of age ; 

 he was attacked in the night; the matter vomited and the dejections 

 were white and abundant; the skin cold and livid ; the tongue cool, and 

 the prostration extreme. The aloes was prescribed in doses of two 

 grains every hour ; its action was slow, but at the fifth hour, the 

 stools were colored, not with the golden yellow of aloes, but with 

 the greenish yellow of bile ; the matter vomited presented the same 

 character. The urine soon reappeared, as well as the heat of skin. 

 The livid tint was replaced by a lively red color. This state con- 

 tinued to improve. The aloes was continued for two days in the 

 dose of twelve grains ; the amendment continued to advance. Cold 

 mucilaginous drinks were continued, and shortly after some slight 

 nourishment was allowed, by which means he was in a condition to 

 leave the ward five days after entering it." 



" Still more prompt and satisfactory results were obtained with the 

 two other patients. The one, named Gaudin, aged thirty years, en- 

 tered on the 18th of July, with the most serious and well marked 

 symptoms. The aloes, continued for two days in the quantity of 

 nine grains, reinduced the biliary and urinary secretions, and the 

 heat, and finally caused the rapid and progressive disappearance of 

 all the symptoms." 



^' The other, named Clement, a young man of twenty, was equally 

 blue, having vomitings and white dejections, with but few cramps. 

 The aloes, given at the rate of twelve grains a day, produced the 

 same effects." 



*' This medicament has been administered only to these three pa- 

 tients. Its action was noticed at the end of three or four hours, and 

 when once commenced, it was continued without interruption. We 

 prefer the gummy extract, the action of which appears, in general, 

 less irritating. These three patients did not evince any trace of ir- 

 ritation, in their convalescence. The only well founded objection 

 which can be made, at present, to this medicinal substance, is the 

 slowness of its action. It has probably already been had recourse 

 to in India, for its presence is easily recognized in the bitter drug, 

 a composition which is often employed in India against cholera." 



The bitter drug, of which Mr. Biett speaks, is composed of the 

 following substances : Aloes Socotorine, one pound ; Myrrh, Mas- 

 tich, Benzoin, each eight ounces; Rad. Colombce, — Gentiana; — 



