ALOIN 567 



the large intestines, locally, or through elimination. Aloes 

 is preeminently the best purgative for horses, but does not 

 operate so well on the other domestic animals. Epsom salts, 

 glauber salts or linseed oil are preferable for. cattle ; linseed 

 oil or carron oil for foals and calves ; and castor oil or 

 calomel for dogs. A full dose of aloes often creates some 

 general disturbances in horses, including nausea, slight colic, 

 diuresis, elevation of temperature (l°-2° F.) and pulse, with 

 purging lasting from 2 or 3 to 24 hours. Aloes also possesses 

 anthelmintic properties because of its bitter qualities and 

 purgative action. Socotrine aloes is the basis of the official 

 preparations, but Barbadoes aloes finds most favor in veter- 

 inary medicine, and is probably the stronger of the two. 

 Cape aloes is a little inferior to the other varieties and is 

 more apt to produce diuresis. Aloes and aloin lead to 

 catharsis, whether injected under the skin, into the blood, or 

 applied on raw surfaces. Administration by the mouth is 

 more effective. Aloin appears to contain the active princi- 

 ples of aloes, and is usually as operative, but some manufac- 

 tures are ineflfective. 



Kidneys and Sexual Organs. — Aloes causes reflex, or 

 sympathetic irritation of the female pelvic organs in its 

 operation on the lower bowel ; is an emmenagogue, and may 

 prove abortifacient. The drug sometimes excites diuresis. 



Administration. — Aloes is given to horses in semi-solu- 

 tion after being rubbed up with hot (115°-120° F.) water; or 

 in ball. The patient should, if possible, be previously pre- 

 pared by a diet of bran mashes and salt only, for 2 or 3 

 feedings before exhibition of the purge. The aloes ball in 

 use for many years in the Harvard Veterinary Hospital is 

 made by melting and mixing Barbadoes aloes (1 lb.) with 

 glycerin and molasses (each § ii.), and powdered ginger root 

 (§i.), on a water bath. When the mass is properly mixed 

 it is removed from the fire and alcohol ( 3 v.) is added. The 

 mass is poured on a layer of flaxseed meal to cool, and then 

 is weighed into portions of 3 lOJ each. These are rolled 

 into balls, covered with tissue paper, and preserved in tight 



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