c. The juice pressed from the leaves of U-watile (Hippobromus alata) is

dropped into the eye; or by some, these leaves are chewed and the saliva applied.

d. Iyeza bamehlo (Scabiosa columbaria) in infusion of the root.

e. I-ran (Urtica) nettle. Of this a paste is made of the leaves and used externally.

Other affections of the eye are not specialised.

Snake-bite is a very common occurrence and one in the treatment of which the Native is fairly expert.

I should before describing the treatment, notice the curious fact that the native never wastes a snake. One seen is pursued till killed, then its gall bladder is emptied and the gall mixed with the venom from its venom sacks, and these mixed with clay into a bolus, which is then in part or whole, swallowed, usually in two doses of a day’s interval. The immediate effect is one of pleasant somnolence, and according to the Native, the ultimate effect and that aimed at, is more or less complete immunity from the dangers of snake-bite for the future.

Some Natives as a result of this practice acquire immunity and will handle poisonous snakes with a freedom from fear, only accounted for by a conviction of its being safe for them to do so.

The general method of treatment is:—

The bitten limb is at once tied with a thong or anything available between the body and the bite and the wound freely incised and bled. A native cupping-glass “luneka” (a cow’s horn open at either end, suction by the mouth being applied at the smaller) is then thoroughly used. The patient is in the meantime dosed freely with one or other of the numerous snake-bite cures, a mash of the leaves being finally put on as a poultice.

In some tribes a pit is dug, and filled with bushes, which are burnt. The ashes are rapidly raked out, and the bitten man rolled in skins placed in it so as to induce an excessive perspiration, while plant infusions are freely administered. Not a bad attempt at a domestic Turkish bath.

The snake-bite plants most commonly used by the Kaffirs are:—

1. Um-fincafincane (Leontis leonurus) chiefly used by the Fingoes.

2. Ubu-hlungu benyushu (Teucrium Africanum) chiefly used by Gcalekas, Tembus and Pondos.

It is interesting to note that to some extent the native Igqira recognises the difference of bites by different snakes, using a different species of Leontis for different cases.

3. Ubu-hlungu-bemamba (Melianthus comosus) is a valued cure amongst the Pondos and Gaikas. This bark of the root is used.

This plant is also used for other poisonous bites e.g. The intojane, a poisonous caterpillar, of the shaggy tarantula, this latter being very common in the thatch of huts.

4. Ubu-hlungu besigcawu (Blepharis Capensis) is also used, as its name implies for tarantula bite.

5. Isi-dikili (Lasiosiphon Meisneri) in doses of ½ oz. of dried root often repeated. This plant is also used by the Gaikas as a gargle in sore throat and a paste for open sores.

6. Ubu-hlungu benyoko (Acocanthera venenata) a very poisonous plant. A small piece of the leaf is rubbed up in cold water and administered. It produces violent vomiting. Several deaths are directly traceable to the use of this highly dangerous plant.

Professor Sir T. Fraser of Edinburgh has extracted the active principle of this and describes it (Acocantherine) as a glucoside, which powerfully increases the systolic act of the heart, killing in this way.

The Bushmen use this juice as an arrow poison.

7. Ubu lembu belitye (Parmelia conspersa) is a lichen. Scraped off the rocks it is used for snake and other venomous bites.

8. Ili-bulawa. (Sebæa crassulæfolia) has been used with success in recorded cases of puff-adder bite.

9. Um-nungumabele (Xanthoxylon Capense). A decoction of the tree root is used.

There are also many others.

Kaffir beer is used as a stimulant in cases of collapse.