648

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

senna by its feebler action as a purgative, by its slow operation, and byits tonic influence when given in small doses. It irritates less powerfullythan either jalap or scammony; further, its influence over the bloodvesselsof the pelvic viscera is greater than these.

Use. —The uses of aloes may be readily inferred from the remarksalready made. It is evidently not adapted to those cases in whicha speedy effect is required; and it is, therefore, useless to add it topurgatives to quicken their operation. It is well fitted for cases of cos-tiveness where there is a scanty secretion of bile, and for torpidconditions of the large intestines, especially when attended with de-ficient uterine action. Some of the ill effects ascribed to the use ofaloes are probably imaginary, and others much exaggerated (“ Ofthe Use and Abuse of Aloes" Lond. Med. Gaz. vol. iv. p. 139.) It i s >however, advisable to avoid the use of this purgative in inflamma-tory conditions and organic diseases of the liver, in biliary calculi, i®mechanical impediments to the passage of the blood through the branchesof the portal veins, in hemorrhage from any of the pelvic organs (as theuterus and rectum), in irritation of the rectum, prostate gland, or bladder,in pregnancy, &c. For we have many other equally efficient purgativesto the use of which, in these cases, no ill consequences have bee®ascribed. While, therefore, I concur with Dr. Fothergill (Med. Obs. andInq. vol. v. p. 173) in advising that the exhibition of aloes should beavoided when the menses are about to cease, I am not prepared to provethat “ the piles, strangury, immoderate discharges of the menses, rack® 1 .?pains in the loins, representing labour pains, and other similar com-plaints,” are frequently induced by this medicine. On the contrary, 1suspect this catalogue of the evils of aloetic purges to be much overcharged. . “ Aloetic medicines,” says Dr. Denman ( Introd. to the Pract-of Midwif), “are forbidden during pregnancy, lest they shouldmischief by their supposed deobstruent qualities; but they are cheapand conveniently given in the form of pills, and I have not observed a ®)jbad effects from them.” The emaciation, stricture of the rectum, aIltenteiitis, referred by Dr. Greenhow {Lond. Med. Gaz. vol. xix- p. 270)

the long continued use of aloetic medicines, ought doubtless to be ascribeto other causes.

The following are some of the cases in which the use of aloes b aSbeen advised:—

1. In loss of appetite, and dyspepsia, depending on a debilit ate< *

condition of the digestive organs, accompanied by costiveness, but u®®*'tended with any signs of local irritation, aloes may be <nven in s» ia *doses as a stomachic. °

2. In habitual costiveness, depending on deficiency of bile, or on asluggish condition of the large intestines—particularly in hypocho®'driacal or studious persons, or in those whose habits or occupations m- 1 )sedentary—aloes, given in sufficient doses to purge, will be found a ver)'useful medicine. A torpid state of the colon, with large frccal acc®®® 1 'lation, is not unusual in females. (Copland, Diet . Pract. Med. art. Colon*torpor of). In such the use of aloes is often attended with much benefit*

3. To excite the menstrual discharge aloes is frequently employed, rhas been supposed that by determining an afflux of blood to the peb® corgans, aloes would stimulate the uterine vessels, and thus relieve deb'cient menstruation connected with atonic conditions of the uterus, b 11