COMPOUND DECOCTION OP ALOES. 
strearine which it contains. A notice of its uses is said to' 
be contained in the j3nn. de la Societe Linneennede Paris, 
for May, 1824, but I have had no opportunity of consult- 
ing this work. The oil owes its bitterness to an alkaloid 
principle, which MM. Petroz and Robinet {Journal de 
Pharmacie, t. vii. p. 48,) found also in the bark of the 
tree." 
Mr. Redwood observed, that he had made a few experi- 
ments to determine some of the most prominent characters 
of the oil. — He found it to be entirely soluble in ether, and 
that alcohol separated it into two parts, a concrete substance, 
which was dissolved, and an oil fluid at ordinary tempera- 
tures, on which the alcohol took no effect. The former 
contained the bitter principle and the nauseous odor of the 
oil, the latter was nearly colorless and tasteless. 
London Pharm. Transactions. 
ART. XXVI. — COMPOUND DECOCTION OF ALOES. 
Mr. Bland has favored us with the following remarks on 
this subject: — 
"The decoction of aloes, as usually met with, deposits on 
standing, a copious and unsightly precipitate; this I consi- 
der arises from one of the following causes: either, first, the 
impurities contained in the extract of liquorice; second, the 
imperfect solution of the aloes and myrrh; or third, the 
decomposition of the aloes. With respect to the extract of 
liquorice, I find it difficult to procure it sufficiently pure; I. 
therefore, always use the common Italian liquorice (Solazzi 
juice) having first purified it by dissolving in distilled 
