Airy, a. Composed of air; relating to the air; high in air; light as air; gay, sprightly, full of mirth, lively.
Alcohol, s. A highly rectified spirit of wine.
Alkali, s. Any substance which combines with an acid, and produces a salt.
Alkalies form one of the classes of saline bodies, and are of three kinds: the vegetable alkali—kali, or potash,—the mineral alkali—soda, or natron,—and the volatile alkali, or ammonia. Alkalies are distinguished by their changing blue vegetable colours to a green, and yellow to orange; by combining rapidly with acids, and forming with them neutral salts—and by rendering oils miscible with water. Vegetable and mineral alkalies, not being evaporable, except in a high degree of heat, are termed fixed: and ammonia, being evaporable in a low temperature, obtains the name of volatile alkali.—White.
Alkaline, a. That which has the qualities of alkali.
Allspice, s. Jamaica pepper, a powerful cordial and carminative; the dose from two to three or four drachms. Mr. Bracey Clarke, in a book he has published on flatulent or spasmodic colic, or gripes, strongly recommends a tincture of allspice in proof spirit, as an effectual remedy for that disorder. The dose about 4 to 6 oz. in water.
Allure, v. To entice to any thing.
Aloes, s. A precious wood used in the east for perfumes, of which the best sort is of higher price than gold; a tree which grows in hot countries; a medicinal juice extracted from the common aloes tree.
Aloes is the inspissated juice of a plant of the same name, and is an effectual purgative for horses. It is intensely bitter, and strong and unpleasant to the smell.
Socotrine aloes is grown in the island Socotra, and is safer in its operation than the other kinds. It is of a dark reddish or brown colour, opaque, and less disagreeable to smell than the others. It formerly sold at a high price, and was therefore liable to adulteration. Barbadoes aloes is a coarser medicine, liable to produce griping, and other unpleasant effects; but it is a safe and efficacious purgative. It is darker coloured, less brittle, and of a stronger and more disagreeable smell—more active than the Socotrine; and considered more certain in its operation. Every kind of aloes is liable to produce bad consequences if given too largely, or if the horse be treated improperly while under its effect. There is a peculiarity in the horse’s intestines which renders them more liable to be injured by purgatives than those of other domestic animals, and therefore cathartic medicines should be prepared by persons of judgment and experience.