ZULU MKIKCINI': AND MIODICINE-MEN. 17 



A constant warfare is kept up against tlie universal enemy. 

 It is treated rather douiestically than professionally. Abun- 

 dant herbal remedies are in use, all commonly known to the 

 fathers and mothers of families. The plan is to administer 

 an imBhh.a or combined decoction of several blood-purifying- 

 drugs. Take the roots of the bitter herbs IThethe (Poly gal a 

 oppositif olia)^ and nMatJuinjana (? Raphionacme sp.). 

 of each a small bunch, such as can be easily grasped by the 

 single hand ; the bulbous roots of the nmBuze (Natal lily) and 

 'liMatliunga (Cyrtanthus obliquus) ; the bark of a foot's 

 length of the stout root of the umNungivane (Knobwood, 

 Xanthoxylon capense), IQwaningi (Cap par is corym- 

 bifera), umHlmnbhamanzi (Rauwolfia natalensis), and 

 isiZtinaiie (the iDnnganmzl of Zululand, Euclea natal- 

 ensis). Break up the ingredients by chopping or pounding-, 

 and boil all together for a few minutes in a small quantity of 

 water. When cool, take a dessert or table-spoonful of the 

 decoction once every morning and evening until relieved. 

 The relief will come, in that the impurities in the blood will 

 be expelled chiefly through the skin and also through the 

 secretions. Immediately before the treatment the body is 

 stimulated to healthy activity by the patient, completely 

 enshrouded in a large blanket, sitting bent over the boiling 

 decoction-pot, and this induces a profuse perspiration. As a 

 result of the medicine, tumours, quickly going on to suppura- 

 tion, form in any part of the body; or, should they have been 

 present already, will now rapidly be brought to a head. 

 This latter can also be accelerated by the poulticing of the 



' It must 1)6 remembered that this article is intended to be simply an 

 ethnological study of the Zulu people from the medical standpoint. 

 The methods of treating disease here described are not thereby recom- 

 mended for adoption by European persons. However, the medical 

 plants eiuimerated. some of which ai-e undoubtedly good, others as 

 certainly poisonous, are seriously offered to progressive medical science 

 for analysis and perhaps even cautious experimental application. Grate- 

 ful recognition is here due to J. Medley Wood, Esq., F.L.S., Director of 

 the Botanical Gardens, Durban, for the very generous assistance given 

 in the identification of most of the indigenous plants herein referred to. 

 VOL. 2, PART 1 . 2 



