222 
plint's katijeal histost. 
[Book XXVIL 
CHAP. 5. — THE ALOE ; TWENTY-NINE REMEDIES. 
The aloe^^ bears a resemblance to the squill, except that it is 
larger, and has more substantial leaves, with streaks running 
obliquely. The stem is tender, red in the middle, and not 
unlike that of the anthericus.^^ It has a single root, which runs 
straight downwards, like a stake driven into the ground ; its 
smell is powerful, and it has a bitter taste. The most esteemed 
aloes are those imported from India, but it grows in the Asiatic 
provinces^^ as well. This last kind, however, is never used, 
except that the leaves are applied fresh to wounds ; indeed, 
these leaves, as well as the juice, are glutinous to a marvellous 
degree, and it is for this property that it is grown in vessels of 
a conical form, in the same way as the greater aizoiim.^^ Some 
persons make incisions in the stem to obtain the j nice, before 
the seed is ripe, while others, again, make them in the leaves 
as well. Tearlike drops are also found adhering to it, which 
exude spontaneously : hence it is that some recommend that 
the place should be paved where it is grown, to prevent this 
juice from being absorbed. 
Some authors have stated, that there is found in Judsea, 
beyond Hierosolj^ma, a miner aP^ aloe, but that it is inferior to 
the other kinds, being of a darker colour and more humid than 
any of the rest. Aloes^^ of the finest quality should be 
unctuous and shining, of a red colour, brittle, compact, like 
the substance of liver, and easily liquefied. That which is 
hard and black should be rejected; the same, too, when it is 
mixed with sand or adulterated with gum and acacia, a fraud 
which may be easily detected by the taste. 
This plant is of an astringent nature, binding, and slightly 
calorific. It is employed for numerous purposes, but principally 
as a purgative,^* it being almost the only one of all the medica- 
'^^ The ancients probably included under this name several distinct species 
of the aloe. They were well acquainted, Fee says, with the Indian aloe, 
but probably not with that of Africa. As described by Pliny, he identifies 
it with the Aloe perfoliata of Linnaeus : Desfontaines gives the Aloe 
umbellata. 29 gee B. xxi. c. 68. 3o Asm." 
^1 See B. XXV. c. 102. The aloe is still grown in large wooden vessels, 
in this country, at least ; but only as an ornament. 
22 He alludes to the bitumen of Judaaa, much used by the Egyptians for 
the purposes of embalmment. 
'^'^ He is speaking of the prepared aloes of commerce. 
3* It is still used for this purpose. 
