Aloes. The inspissated juice of the leaves of Aloe Socotrina Lamarck (Nat. Ord. Liliaceae).

Aloe Purificata

Purified aloes. In brittle pieces of a dull-brown or reddish-brown color, and having the peculiar aromatic odor of Socotrine aloes. It is almost entirely soluble in alcohol. (U. S. P.) Dose, gr. j grs.v.

Extractum Aloes Aquosum

Watery extract of aloes. Dose, gr.

ss—gr. v.

Pilulae Aloes

Pills of aloes. Each pill contains two grains of aloes and two grains of soap. Dose, 1—5 pills.

Pilulae Aloes et Asa/oetidae

Pills of aloes and asafcetidae. (Aloes, asafoetidae, and soap, in equal parts.) Dose, 2—5 pills.

Pilulai Aloes et Mastiches

Pills of aloes and mastic. Lady Webster's pills. (Aloes, mastic, and red rose.) Dose, 1—2 pills.

Pilulai Aloes et Myrrhae

Pills of aloes and myrrh. (Aromatio powder, myrrh, aloes.) Dose, grs. v—grs. xv.

Tinctura Aloes

Tincture of aloes. Dose, 3 ss— ozj.

Tinctura Aloes et Myrrhae

Tincture of aloes and myrrh. Dose, 3 ss— 3 ij.

Vinum Aloes

Wine of aloes. Dose, 3 j— oz ss.

Pulvis Aloes et Canellae

Powder of aloes and canella (hiera picra). Dose, grs. v—Эj. (Not official.)

Composition

The odor of aloes is due to a peculiar volatile oil. It contains also a resin, and a principle, aloine. The composition of aloine is not precisely the same in the different varieties of aloes. The Barbadoes aloes furnishes barbaloine, the Natal aloes, nataloine, and the Socotrine aloes, soalo'ne. These varieties, it is supposed, constitute an homologous series.

Actions and Uses

Aloes has a bitter and very disagreeable taste, leaving a rather acrid after-sensation in the fauces. It is a stomachic tonic, and, like bitters in general, it promotes the appetite and digestion. Accordingly, it is much prescribed as a stomachic tonic in cases of indigestion with torpor of the large intestine. Irritable or inflammatory states of the stomach mucous membrane contraindicate its employment.

The recent investigations of Rutherford and Vignal have shown that aloes has the power to stimulate the hepatic functions, and to promote the flow of bile. This result is confirmatory of clinical experience. In large doses (twenty grains or more) aloes undoubtedly increases the intestinal secretions generally; but, in the ordinary medicinal laxative dose, the stools are not liquid, and are but little altered in character. The principal effect of aloes is expended on the large intestine, the peristaltic movement of which it increases. Some tormina is experienced when the laxative effect begins, and tenesmus, with heat and irritation of the rectum, is produced when an active purgative dose has been taken. The blood-supply to the pelvic organs is increased by aloes; the menstrual flow becomes more abundant, and abortion, it is said, may be caused by its incautious administration; while in the male, erections take place more frequently.

Ten or twelve hours elapse after it has been swallowed, before cathartic effects are produced. The rate at which it moves to affect the intestinal canal is influenced less by the size of the dose than by the condition of the bowels.

The purgative principle of aloes diffuses into the blood. Applied to an exposed surface, it is absorbed and purges, and the milk of mothers taking it acquires a purgative action.

Simple jaundice, of an atonic kind, may be cured by aloes. No purgative is more efficient in constipation, dependent on weakness and impaired contractility of the muscular layer of the large intestine.         

Jaundice, or at least a bilious state, a coated tongue, foul breath, a tumid abdomen, and an impacted colon, are conditions frequently associated and are readily relieved by aloes. The constipation of hypochondriasis and melancholia is best overcome by the use of this agent, and, with the removal of the impacted faeces, there is not unfrequently an improvement in the mental state. Aloes is prescribed in cerebral disorders, when purgatives are given with a view to a derivative effect.

In amenorrhea which is dependent on anaemia, aloes is prescribed, with other appropriate remedies, to determine an afflux of blood to the uterine system. Menorrhagia, occurring in debilitated and relaxed subjects, is sometimes relieved in the same way. Iron may be associated with aloes in these cases. Congestion of the pelvic viscera is a contraindication to the use of aloes, and the existence of haemorrhoids, or of a tendency therefor, has heretofore been considered an equally positive contraindication. Fordyce Barker has, however, shown that aloes has a curative power in certain cases of haemorrhoids, and notably those which occur after delivery. The local condition, under these circumstances, is not one of active hyperaemia, but really consists in a sluggish state of the circulation in the inferior haemorrhoidal veins. It can hardly be doubted that aloes would increase the trouble if prescribed for cases in which there was active congestion of the pelvic viscera. Barker also advocates the use of aloes in non-puerperal haemorrhoids, but the local condition must be suitable for the use of this remedy or the disease will be aggravated. The following are formulae proposed by Barker: Rx Pulv. aloes Soc, sapo. Cast., āā,Э j; ext. hyoscyami, 3 ss; pulv. ipecacuanhae, grs. v. M. Ft. pil. no. xx. Sig.: One pill morning and evening. When the haemorrhoids are associated with an irritable rectum, and with frequent, small, teasing, thin evacuations, Barker substitutes for the hyoscyamus a small quantity of opium, giving also a less quantity of the aloes, as in the following formula: Rx Ferri sulph., Эj; pulv. aloes Soc, ext. opii aq., sapo. Cast., āā grs. x. M. Ft. pil. no. xx. Sig.: One pill morning and evening. Oppolzer also used aloes as a remedy for haemorrhoids, prescribing, when there was constipation, aloes and quinine, and, when the bowels were not confined, aloes and sulphate of iron.

The action of aloes, as well as of other resin-bearing purgatives, in the condition of anaemia, is promoted by the conjoined use of the bitters, quinine, iron, and tonics generally. Two grains of aloes, taken at bedtime, will cause a satisfactory evacuation on the following day. Combination with soap, as in the official pil. aloes, and pil. aloes et asafoetidae, diminishes the drastic, while it increases the efficiency of the purgative, action. It is generally better to give aloes by itself, without combination with other cathartics; but its purgative effects may be greatly enhanced by administering a saline laxative six or eight hours after the aloes has been taken.

A gonorrhoea may, it is said, be cured by the internal use, three times a day, of a pill containing two or three grains of aloes. Catarrh of the uterus has been treated successfully by aloes rectal enemata. The tincture of aloes, diluted to one half or even more, by water, is a very effective injection in gonorrhoea after the acute symptoms have subsided.