ALOES. 609 



reduced to powder, an operation accomplished with some difficulty, 

 which may be overcome by adding a few drops of ether. It i» 

 soluble in boiling water. 



COMPOSITION. — It is composed of its active principle, aloin, 

 mixed wijh certain resins and other substances. 



ACTIONS. — In small doses, it appears to act as a tonic,* and 

 alterative,! in improving the general health. In full doses, it is a 

 purgative, though it acts sometimes as a diuretic, especially when 

 in solution. Externally it can be used in the foriii of a finf 

 powder, as an application to wounds. 



It is rapidly absorbed into the system, and seems to be excreted 

 into the large intestines, thereby increasing their motion. 



Aloes generally takes from eighteen to twenty-four hours to 

 produce a purgative effect. 



As it appears to be a liver stimulant, be careful in giving it in 

 cases of disease of that organ. 



DOSES. — As a tonic or alterative 1 to 2 drachms ; as a pur- 

 gative, from 4 to 10 drachms. 



The action of this drug is influenced by the breed and individual 

 peculiarities of the animal ; by the country in which he lives ; by 

 the nature of the food he eats ; by the condition of his stomach at 

 the time he takes the physic ; by .his state of health ; and by the 

 nature and quantity of the" food and drink which he partakes of 

 after getting the physic. 



Some horses, especially slack-loined, " washy " animals, are very 

 easily purged. As a rule, the heavier the horse, the more aloes will 

 be required to purge him. In Scotland, horses need about one- 

 and-a-half times the amount of aloes which would do in the south of 

 England or in Ireland. This is owing to the large amount of 

 woody fibre contained in the hay made in the firs1>mentioned 

 country. My experience of Indian horses is that they are very 

 susceptible to the action of aloes. Animals fed chiefly on corn are 

 more difficult to purge than are those which are kept on grass and 

 other green food. When restricted to bran mashes, the bowels are 

 readily acted upon. If aloes be given on an empty stomach, its 

 effect will be far more severe than if that organ is in a full con- 

 dition. Drinking cold water soon after this drug is given, in- 

 creases its purgative effect; often to a dangerous extent. When 

 there is irritation of the bowels — ^which may be shown by diarrhoea 



• Tonics are medicines which permanently strengthen the hody or its 

 parts. 



+ Alteratives have certain beneficial though ill-understood eSFects on the 

 nutrition of the system. 



39 



