c. Another method I have had described is to lance the temple, collect

the blood and having caught a hare and lanced its head between the ears, to rub the patient’s blood into the wound and let the hare go free, the spectators and patient not daring to see the hare depart. Similarly a cock may be used (failing the hare), its beak soaked in the blood and it allowed to go free.

d. A most prized, and secret cure for “fits” is the administration of about a tablespoonful of a decoction in goats milk of the leaves of Exomis oxyrioides. This is a method used in the domestic medicine of the back-country Boer, who calls the bush “Honde bos” (dog bush) and is said to be very successful.

N.B.—the watery decoction of this is dangerous and strongly soporific.

Insanity. U-gezo. Three varieties are recognised.

1st U-gezo proper, probably mostly delirium or convulsions, which is treated the same way as “Isi-tutwani” epilepsy. Here also the herb Um-nyanji (Phytolacca stricta) and other emetics are used till the patient is utterly prostrate, when he is left to slowly recover, while being fed on goats milk.

2nd A form of madness known to attack those who are in the initiation or student stage for the position of Isanusi, when they are supposed to be in communication with the “Imi-shologu” departed spirits. During the initiation the candidate is hypnotised by the Isanuse and made to see and converse with these spirits, as it is from them that all his knowledge comes when in practice. As one would expect, the impressions of the lessons are at times lasting and unhinge the minds of weak ones, who continue to have delusions and are then considered to be possessed by their departed ancestors. In the treatment of this, therefore, every endeavour is made to propitiate these ancestors, by sacrifices and offerings, mostly with the assistance of one of the witch doctors. In the old days of Chacka a case is recorded as occurring, and after treatment had failed either to kill or cure, the maniac was sent to join his ancestors by order of the king (the greatest doctor). A truly summary method of at once appeasing the offended spirits and getting rid of a troublesome customer.

3rd. Uku-posela, evidently Acute Mania, attributed to being bewitched by some one having a grudge, and the process of smelling out “Ukunuka” as described previously is gone through.

Tetanus. Supposed to be due to having crossed the path of the Icanti (water snake) or Inamba (python) and the plants used in snakebite are administered as well as the usual observance of ceremonies calculated to appease the wrath of the ancestor whom the snake represents.

Sunstroke. Uku-zolika or Uku-hlatywa lilanga, is well recognised and fairly common amongst the workers of the fields.

Treatment. 1. The sufferer is placed in as cool a place as is available, soused with cold water, and drugged with emetics and purgatives.

2. Seated in a cool spot on the ground his finger and thumb tips are freely incised so that he may bleed, and he is dosed freely with Ubuhlungu (teucrium Capense), a carminative snakebite cure.

Toothache. Ama-zinyo. The Kaffirs say that in the old days this was unknown, and they attribute it now to eating food cooked and hot.

Treatment. Small doses and local application of Ubuhlungu benyoka “Acocanthera venenata” a nervine tonic and favourite snake-bite cure are used; or the sufferer chews the bark of the Um-nungumabele (Xanthoxylon Capense) and expectorates the juice; or a paste may be made of the powdered bark and placed in the hollow tooth (this is another favourite snakebite and anthrax drug). Other plant drugs used in much the same way are:—

Ubuhlungu besigcawu (Blepharis Capensis) Um-tumana (Solanum Capense) Isi-dikili (Lasiosiphon Meisneri) Root of Indegofera potens.

All having distinct antiseptic and anæsthetic values.

The Kaffir surgeon or domestic sympathiser tries to extract the offending tooth by means of a strip of thong tied to it.

Speaking generally the Kaffirs have splendid teeth and take great care of them by frequent cleansing.

Headache.

a. I-yeza Elininyama (Anemone Caffra) is used; the root being dried, powdered and used as a snuff. Should this fail the upper rootstalk is burned and the smoke inhaled; while a paste of the leaves is rubbed into or bound on the affected part.

b. Um-hlavutwa (Ricinus communis) is also used externally as a paste and internally in decoction.

A common practice is to bind the head firmly with a thong.

H. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.

Thrush. Ama-vila, said to be caused by the child eating green mealies off the cob and leaving its saliva on a cob that is accidently burnt; or putting its father’s pipe into its mouth.

Treatment. The mouth is frequently washed out, either with an infusion of the leaves of Isi-duli (Brachylæna elliptica) or an infusion of Mimosa bark.

Quinsy. Um-qala. Gargles are used of hot infusions of Isi-duli, Mimosa, or bitter olive tree, etc.

Diphtheria. I have no record of this disease being recognised by the Kaffir as anything but sorethroat Umqala, if it occur at all.

Dyspepsia and Indigestion. I-dliso.

Believed to be caused by eating poisonous foods, and usually treated by emetics e.g. In-kamamasane (Euphorbia pugniformis) one of the class of drugs known amongst the natives as Intsema, acting as a severe emetic and purge. The juice tapped from the living stem of these plants is collected in maize meal and made into a bolus to be swallowed; about half a drachm of the drug being taken at a time. As this is nearly as severe as croton oil, the action is easily to be understood and in a country and nation where at times great overfeeding and gorging is practiced, such a treatment is a valuable asset.

Another favourite purge is Um-gwali (Euclea lanceolata), the bark of the roots being used.

Colic. Uku kunywa or I-honya.

Treatment. a. The Powdered root of In-nyongwane, (Deconia anomala) is administered in cold water.

This plant is also put to a curious use by the Kaffir. When visiting a strange place he eats some of it, believing that if he gets poisoned food he will immediately vomit it.

b. The knobs from the roots of the in-dawa (Cyperus) are used, either chewed as they are or as an infusion of the powdered knob. It has an aromatic pungent taste.