Part 15

USES.--Are numerous, used principally as a stimulant, either in one large dose, 2 to 3 ounces of alcohol, or better, in small repeated doses, 1 ounce every 1, 2 or 3 hours, can be conjoined with other stimulants such as sulphuric ether, aromatic spirits of ammonia, digitalis, etc.

It is used in anesthetic mixtures, such as alcohol, ether and chloroform, combined in different proportions; in snake bites it is administered in very large doses.

In blood poisoning alcohol is a most potent drug, sustaining the heart, lowering the temperature and acting as a germicide. Alcohol makes an excellent dressing for wounds; applied locally to threatened bed-sores, frequently prevents their formation. It is useful in colds at their outset, or in a chill to restore the balance of the circulation and prevent or overcome internal congestion by relaxing the blood vessels of the periphery.

All alcoholic liquors are useful in debilitating diseases, such as influenza, in two or three ounce doses repeated every three or four hours. One-half to one drachm of quinine to one ounce of alcohol, for influenza or febrile diseases in general, excepting brain and spinal disease; useful in convalescence. In colic alcohol can be used with a great degree of success; it will act as a carminative antispasmodic and stimulant, used in collapse and weak heart; in septicaemia and pyaemia it has notable antiseptic and antipyretic effects. Useful in carbolic acid poisoning, alcohol, or alcoholic liquors, act as a chemical antidote besides overcoming the shock produced by the acid. It may also be used locally for carbolic acid burns.

The effects of alcohol are noticed in ten or fifteen minutes after administration and will be shown by a better condition of the pulse, the weak pulse becoming stronger and firmer; the quick pulse slower, the breathing becomes more natural, eyes brighten up and in fact a general improvement is shown.

Externally alcohol is used alone as a strengthening application to weak tendons and muscles; or after a race, is used to rub on the legs, combined with other drugs as a liniment, as alcohol, soap-liniment and witch hazel; can be used in surgery as an antiseptic.

To toughen the skin of tender or thin skinned horses who gall or chafe easily under the collar and saddle, alcohol will be found a most satisfactory application.

ALOE BARBADENSIS--BARBADOES ALOES

The thickened juice of the leaves of Aloe vera, Linn., Aloe chinensis, Bak., and probably other species, evaporated to dryness.

HABITAT.--The Barbadoes Island.

PROPERTIES.--In hard masses, orange, brown, opaque, translucent on the edges; fracture waxy or resinous; odor saffron-like; taste strongly bitter. Almost entirely soluble in alcohol; most used in veterinary medicine.

CONSTITUENT.--Aloin; a resin; volatile oil; gallic acid.

DOSE.--Horses, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; 20 gr. to 1 dr.

ALOE SOCOTRINA--SOCOTRINE ALOES

The juice that flows from the transversely cut leaves of Aloe Perryi, Baker, evaporated to dryness.

HABITAT.--Eastern Africa.

PROPERTIES.--In hard masses, occasionally soft in the interior; opaque, yellowish-brown, orange-brown or dark ruby-red, fracture resinous. When moistened it emits a fragrant saffron-like odor; taste peculiar, strongly bitter. Almost entirely soluble in alcohol and four parts of boiling water. The powdered socotrine aloes is brighter and redder, and the odor less disagreeable than that of Barbadoes Aloes.

CONSTITUENTS.--About the same as Barbadoes Aloes.

DOSE.--Same as Barbadoes Aloes.

ALOINUM--ALOIN

A neutral principle obtained from several varieties of aloes, chiefly from Barbadoes and Socotrine Aloes.

DERIVATION.--Obtained by pulverizing and macerating aloes in cold water, and evaporating the resulting solution in vacuo. Aloin crystallizes out and is dried between folds of bibulous paper. It is purified by repeated solution in hot water, filtration, recrystallization, and finally by solution in hot alcohol and crystallization.

PROPERTIES.--A micro-crystalline powder or minute acicular crystals, lemon yellow or dark yellow in color, possessing a slight odor of aloes and intensely bitter taste. Soluble in water and alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 3 dr.; sheep, 20 to 60 gr.; pigs, 10 to 40 gr.; dogs, 11 to 20 gr.; combined with other purgatives.

PREPARATIONS

TINCTURA ALOES ET MYRRHAE--TINCTURE OF ALOES AND MYRRH

Made by maceration and percolation of purified aloes, 100 parts; myrrh, 100 parts, and liquorice root, with alcohol and water to make 1000.

DOSE.--Dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.