CHAP. 5.—THE ALOE; TWENTY-NINE REMEDIES.
The aloe
1 bears a resemblance to the squill, except that it is
larger, and has more substantial leaves, with streaks running
obliquely. The stem is tender, red in the middle, and not
unlike that of the anthericus.
2 It has a single root, which runs
straight downwards, like a stake driven into the ground; its
smell is powerful, and it has a bitter taste. The most esteemed
aloes are those imported from India, but it grows in the Asiatic
provinces
3 as well. This last kind, however, is never used,
except that the leaves are applied fresh to wounds; indeed,
these leaves, as well as the juice, are glutinous to a marvellous
degree, and it is for this property that it is grown in vessels of
a conical form, in the same way as the greater Aizoüm.
4 Some
persons make incisions in the stem to obtain the juice, before
the seed is ripe, while others, again, make them in the leaves
as well. Tearlike drops are also found adhering to it, which
exude spontaneously: hence it is that some recommend that
the place should be paved where it is grown, to prevent this
juice from being absorbed.
Some authors have stated, that there is found in Judæa,
beyond Hierosolyma, a mineral
5 aloe, but that it is inferior to
the other kinds, being of a darker colour and more humid than
any of the rest. Aloes
6 of the finest quality should be
unctuous and shining, of a red colour, brittle, compact, like
the substance of liver, and easily liquefied. That which is
hard and black should be rejected; the same, too, when it is
mixed with sand or adulterated with gum and acacia, a fraud
which may be easily detected by the taste.
This plant is of an astringent nature, binding, and slightly
calorific. It is employed for numerous purposes, but principally
as a purgative,
7 it being almost the only one of all the medica-
ments which produce that effect, that is at the same time a
good stomachic, and does not exercise the slightest noxious
influence upon the stomach. It is taken in doses of one
drachma, and, in cases of derangement of the stomach, it is
administered two or three times a day, in the proportion of
one spoonful to two cyathi of warm or cold water, at intervals,
according to the nature of the emergency. As a purgative it
is mostly taken in doses of three drachmæ; and it operates
still more efficaciously, if food is eaten directly afterwards.
Used with astringent wine, it prevents
8 the hair from falling
off, the head being rubbed with it the contrary way of the
hair, in the sun. Applied to the temples and forehead with
rose oil and vinegar, or used as an infusion, in a more diluted
form, it allays head-ache. It is generally agreed that it is
remedial for all diseases
9 of the eyes, but more particularly for
prurigo and scaly eruptions of the eye-lids; as also for marks
and bruises, applied in combination with honey, Pontic honey
in particular.
It is employed, also, for affections of the tonsillary glands and
gums, for all ulcerations of the mouth, and for spitting of
blood, if not in excess—the proper dose being one drachma,
taken in water or else vinegar. Used by itself, or in combination
with vinegar, it arrests hæmorrhage, whether proceeding front
wounds or from other causes. In addition to these properties, it
is extremely efficacious for the cure of wounds, producing
cicatrization very rapidly: it is sprinkled also upon ulcerations
of the male organs, and is applied to condylomata and chaps
of the fundament, either in common wine, raisin wine, or by
itself in a dry state, according as a mollifying or restrictive
treatment is required. It has the effect, also, of gently
arresting hæmorrhoidal bleeding, when in excess. In cases of
dysentery, it is used as an injection, and where the digestion
is imperfect it is taken shortly after the evening meal. For
jaundice, it is administered in doses of three oboli, in
water. As a purgative for the bowels, it is taken in pills, with
boiled honey or turpentine. It is good also for the removal of
hangnails. When employed in ophthalmic preparations, it is
first washed, that the more gravelly portions of it may subside;
or else it is put over the fire in a pipkin, and stirred with a
feather from time to time, that the whole of it may be equally
warmed.