r ALOES, the name of a genus of plants of the natural order of Asphodelaceae. See Botany. But the name is also applied to an extract obtained from several species, and employed in medicine as a cathartic. The most valued kind is named Socotrine aloes; although the small island in the Arabian seas from which it has obtained its name, produces but a small part of the drug that goes under its name. Six kinds are known in commerce. 1. Clear garnet red aloes, a very rare variety. 2. Socotrine aloes, now chiefly brought from India. 3. Common East Indian aloes. 4. Barbados, or Hepatic aloes, much used in farriery. 5. Cape aloes, often sold as the Socotrine variety. 6. Caballine aloes, a soft inferior sort, formerly much used by farriers, but now superseded by the Barbados aloes. The active principle in this drug is a peculiar extractive matter soluble in water and in proof spirit, but not in strong alcohol; from which it was considered as allied to gum resins; but it is now believed to be a highly oxidated extract. This substance, called Aloesine, varies in quantity in each species, from 52 to 80 per cent.—See Christian's Dispensatory.