juice in that nearest the fire (by much the smallest of the three, and commonly called by the name of 
tatch as in the manufactory of sugar) becomes of a proper consistency to be skipped or ladled out into 
gourds, or other small vessels used for its final reception. The proper time to ladle it out is when it has 
arrived at what is termed a resin height, or when it cuts freely, or drops in thin flakes. A little lime water 
is used by some aloe boilers, during the process, when the ebullition is too great. As to the sun-dried aloes, 
which are more approved for medicinal purposes, very little is made in Barbadoes. The process is very 
simple. The raw juice is either put into bladders, left quite open at the top, and suspended in the sun, or 
in broad shallow trays of wood, pewter, or tin, exposed also to the sun, every dry day, until all the fluid 
parts are exhaled, and a perfect resin formed, which is then packed up for use or for exportation.” 
2nd Socotrine aloes. — The real Socotrine aloes, which is rarely met with in commerce, is produced by 
the A. Socotrina. It grows in abundance on the island of Zocotora, which was first discovered by the 
Portuguese in 1503. The plant is also found in many parts of the South of Africa, particularly in the 
kingdom of Melinda, where the greater part of the extract is prepared that is now sold under the name of 
Socotrine, and Cape aloes. India, Borneo, and Sumatra, also furnish us with this kind of aloes, which are 
sometimes packed in casks, and at others in skins. 
In the island of Zocotora, the inhabitants cut or chop the leaves, and make a slight pressure to obtain 
the juice, which is left to settle. It deposits a feculent matter, which is thrown away. The supernatant 
liquor thus freed from its grosser parts, is left to spontaneous evaporation ; and it is this difference in the 
two processes that accounts for the superiority of the real Socotrine aloes over that of the Cape: for there, 
the Hottentots cut the end of the leaves and catch the liquor which flows from them in proper vessels, the 
lower leaves of the plant generally serving for canals to conduct it into them. The juice thus obtained, is at 
once reduced to a suitable consistence over the fire, and afterwards packed in boxes containing from one to 
three hundred pounds. 
Socotrine aloes is in solid fragments, compact, heavy, and brittle. It is of a yellowish red or brown 
colour, in proportion to its purity ; is glossy, and breaks with a smooth conchoidal fracture. The thin edges 
are reddish, and semi-transparent. It is rendered friable by cold, softens by heat, and is adhesive to the 
touch : it is easily reduced to a powder, which is of a golden yellow colour : but it soon condenses again 
into a mass, the particles of which adhere strongly. The odour is strong, sui generis : the inferior sorts 
fetid and nauseous. The taste is bitter, resembling bile. According to Bouillon La Grange, and Vogel, it 
is composed of 22 parts of resin, and 68 of extractive matter. It dissolves almost entirely in spirits of wine, 
and yields a volatile oil by distillation. It is considered to be more mild in its operation than the other 
kinds of aloes. The Cape aloes differ from the Socotrine in possessing a stronger and less agreeable odour. 
They are also of a less yellow colour, and less vitreous in appearance. The powder is of a greenish yellow, 
resembling gamboge, but less bright. 
Medical, Properties and Uses. — It is the A. vulgaris and A. Socotrina, that produce the gum- 
resins used for pharmaceutical purposes; and they differ little in their medicinal effects. They are warm 
stimulating purgatives, particularly adapted for what is termed the melancholic temperament; and exercise 
a tonic power, proved by their extreme bitterness, and the beneficial influence in chronic affections of the 
stomach and bowels, as vomiting, flatulence, loss of appetite, and other symptoms usually denominated 
dyspeptic. Their operation is slow, but generally effective, nor do large doses appear to exert much more 
power than smaller ones. The medium dose of aloes is from five to ten grains, but they are generally com- 
bined with other purgatives to obviate habitual costiveness ; to remove viscidity of the intestines; and from 
their stimulating and tonic powers are well adapted for jaundice, chlorosis, hypochondriasis, and scrofula. 
In doses of two drachms, aloes produce nauseating and depressing effects upon the horse, and are 
therefore much used in the active diseases of this noble animal, when it is necessary to diminish the force 
of the circulation. From six to eight drachms of aloes, combined with soap and other ingredients, also con- 
stitute the purgative-ball usually administered. 
The following are some of the principal Quack or Patent Medicines that owe their activity chiefly to 
the aloes they contain: — 
Anderson's Pills consist of Barbadoes aloes, with a proportion of jalap and oil of aniseed. 
Hooper's Pills. — Pil. aloes with myrrh, or Rufus’ pill ; sulphate of iron ; and canella bark, to which is 
added a portion of ivory black. Dr. Barlow, one of the physicians to the Bath Hospital, relates a case in 
which these pills were retained in the intestines nearly twelve months. The facts detailed in this case are 
valuable, from the cautions which they suggest to regular practitioners, — who in administering pills with 
iron, should be careful to ensure their ready solution by appropriate combination, and also by having them 
always freshly prepared. — See “ Lancet.” vol. xi. p. 806. 
Dixon’s Antibilious Pills. — These are composed of aloes, scammony, rhubarb, and tartar emetic. 
Speedimen’s Pills. — Myrrh, aloes, rhubarb, of each one ounce, extract of chamomile, half an ounce; 
beat into a mass with syrup, and divided into four-grain pills. 
James’ Analeptic Pills . — Gum ammoniacum, pill aloes with myrrh, antimonial powder, of each equal 
parts, made into a mass with tincture of castor. 
The Aloe is the emblem of Bitterness, 
