Aloes, Cab′alline (-līne.) Syn. Fœt′id aloes, Horse a.; Aloë caballi′na, A. Guinien′sis, L.; Aloès Caballin, Fr. From aloë In′dica (O’Shaughnessy); or from aloë spica′ta by long and careful boiling. (Lindley.) Used only by farriers. Scarcely known in English commerce.
Aloes, Cape. Syn. Aloë Capen′sis, A. lu′cida (Geiger), L. Imported from the Cape of Good Hope, and obtained from aloë spica′ta, and other Cape species. Odour stronger and even more disagreeable than that of Barbadoes aloes; colour deep greenish-brown; appearance shining and resinous; fracture generally glassy; powder a lively greenish-yellow; almost completely soluble in boiling water, decoction paler than that of other kinds. It is weaker than Barbadoes or even hepatic aloes, and is more apt to gripe, &c., than the latter. A finer kind, known as ‘Bethelsdorp aloes,’ imported from Algoa Bay, is more of a liver colour, and softer than the preceding, and hence often called Cape hepatic-aloes.
Aloes, Hepat′ic. Syn. Bombay’ Aloes*, East-India a.*, Liver-coloured Socotrine a.*; Aloë hepat′ica, Ph. L. & D.; A. In′dica, Ph. E. Imported from Bombay and Madras. It is usually said to be obtained from “uncertain species of aloes;” but it is almost certain that it is “the juice of the Socotrine aloes plant which has been solidified without the aid of artificial heat.”[34]—Char., &c. “Opaque, of a liver colour, bitter taste, and an unpleasant odour.” (Ph. L.) It is less odorous, darker coloured, and more opaque than Socotrine aloes; its powder has also a duller colour, and weak spirit leaves much undissolved matter. Its decoction on cooling frequently deposits a yellow powder. The finer and brighter varieties of hepatic aloes are commonly sold for ‘Socotrines,’ and their medicinal virtues are nearly similar. (See below.)
[34] Pereira, ‘Elem. Mat. Med. and Therap.,’ vol. ii, 188, 4th Ed.; ‘Pharm. Journ.,’ vol. xi.
Aloes, In′dian (various);—1. Deep brown or black, very opaque, and less soluble than ordinary aloes. Scarcely known in commerce.—2. Several varieties ranging in character from ‘Cape aloes’ to ‘hepatics,’ and occasionally to ‘Barbadoes,’ obtained from several species.
Aloes, Mo′cha (-kăh). Syn. Aloë de Mochâ, L. Imported from Muscat. An inferior kind of Indian aloes. (Christison.) It is obtained from the same plant as produces genuine hepatic aloes. (Lindley.) It holds an intermediate position between ‘Cape’ and ‘hepatics,’ but contains much impurity; the latter often amounting to upwards of 25%. Some specimens are, however, of excellent quality. When melted and ‘doctored,’ it is sold for Barbadoes, hepatic, and even Socotrine aloes.
Aloes, Soc′otrine (-trĭn; sŭk′-‡). Syn. Soc′otorine aloes, Smyr′na a., Tur′key a.; Aloë Socotri′na, Ph. L.; Aloë, Ph. L. 1836; A. Socotri′na, Ph. E. “The juice of the cut leaf of uncertain species hardened by the air.” (Ph. L.) Genuine Socotrine aloes is generally supposed to be obtained from aloë spica′ta; but is referred by De Candolle to a distinct species, a. Socotri′na; and by Martius, also to a. purpuras′cens. Formerly this variety was brought from the Island of Socotra or Zocotora (hence the name), by way of Smyrna and Malta; but it is now chiefly obtained from Bombay and Madras.—Char., &c. Colour garnet red to golden red; smell peculiar and aromatic, not unlike a decaying russet apple, especially when fresh-broken, or breathed on, or warmed; taste permanently and intensely bitter; fracture conchoidal; softens in the hand, and becomes adhesive, yet retains considerable brittleness; powder bright golden-yellow colour; central portions of the lumps often soft, especially when first imported. “It is brittle, bitter, of a reddish-brown colour, and an aromatic odour. Light permeates thin recently broken laminæ.” (Ph. L.) “In thin pieces, translucent and garnet red;
almost entirely soluble in spirit of the strength of sherry. Very rare.” (Ph. E.)
Socotrine aloes are always preferred for medicinal purposes, and are the only variety used in perfumery, varnishes, and other nice purposes in the arts.
Aloes, Strained. Syn. Melted Aloes; Aloë cola′ta, L. Proc. 1. The aloes are melted in a copper pan, by the heat of steam or a water bath, and are then pressed through a strong hair or wire sieve, and allowed to cool.