SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
211 
Aloes is a drug found in many countries, and it varies 
greatly in quality. Barbadoes aloes is that used almost exclu¬ 
sively in the veterinary profession. Cape aloes, a drug of less 
value and much less activity as a purgative, is often substituted 
for the genuine article, especially if supplied in its powdered 
state. It is of a liver color, and has a dull earthy fracture. 
Cape aloes is of a dark olive green color, is bitter and has, a 
glassy fracture. I have here a very fair specimen of each, 
Finlay Dun, in his “Veterinary Medicines,” says that Ba.rba- 
does aloes should always be freshly powdered before using it 
Now, I know that his method is more theoretical than practical, 
as Barbadoes aloes cannot be powdered in warm weather. It is 
my experience that aloes should never be given to the horse in 
a powdered state, as it is so slow in its action when given in 
that form, often producing gripes, and in some cases enteritis is 
the result. Barbadoes aloes should always be dissolved before 
administering it to the horse. I make an aloetic mass which is 
of the consistency of butter in winter, retaining this consistency 
in an ordinary temperature for any length of time ; it also re¬ 
tains its full active properties, is invariably prompt in its ac¬ 
tion and never gripes. 1 have seen no aloetic mass to equal it. 
I invented the formula thirty-five years ago, and it is unknown 
outside of my three sons. I, however, intend to give the form¬ 
ula to my friend, Finlay Dun, for publication in his next edi¬ 
tion of his “ Veterinary Medicines.” 
I wish to call your attention to another feature in the prac¬ 
tice of veterinary medicine, and that is in the mode of giving 
medicine to the animal. I am totally opposed to giving it in 
the form of a drench, and avoid doing so as much as I possibly 
can, for several reasons. One is that it is decidedly nauseating 
to the horse, and it will resist swallowing the liquid to the ut¬ 
most degree, causing probably the half of it to be spilled and 
lost. Another cause of objection to drenching is in lung affec¬ 
tions, which is a most dangerous process. I have seen death re¬ 
sult from the excitement caused thereby on more than one occa¬ 
sion. I prefer giving medicine to horses in pill form, because 
by this method the animal actually gets the drug without being 
disturbed and is not nauseated in its administration. My son 
Jack has discovered a method to give liquids in pill form. His 
modus operaiidi is to make a cartridge with a piece of paper 
moulded on a round piece of wood, or, what is most conveni¬ 
ent, a broom handle, fill the cartridge with dry wheaten bran, 
pour the liquid over the bran, which will absorb its own bulk. 
