24 KEV. ALFEED 'J'. JDv'YAXT. 



cines that would, I think, be an ae(|uisitioii to our own 

 pharmacopoeia. I believe a scientifically ])repared extract 

 of the nMondi (Chlorocodon whitei), the inDuuo 

 (Cyperus esculentus) and the H7HH/i(;azi tree would be of 

 especial value. x\.ll are perfectly harmless plants and not 

 unpleasant to the palate. Every native fortunate enough to 

 procure them habitually carries about with him a supply of 

 one of these drugs. Of the nMoitdl he carries portions of 

 the root and chews the same whenever the digestion may seel^ 

 relief. The nodulous roots of the /jiPaico and the l)ark of the 

 uHiHhcazi are nibbled and chewed in the same way. The 

 inDaico is especially mentioned as a cure for foul breath. 

 Heartburn is relieved by a decoction of the chopped bark or 

 root of the umNyainatlii (Ekebergia meyeri), six inches of 

 whose stout root may be simmered iu three or four pints of 

 water and taken as an emetic. The roots of the inTonJo 

 (Argy rolobium marginatum) herb, which are crushed, 

 infused with a cupful of boiling water and a table-spoonful 

 drunk from time to time, have the reputation of being helpful 

 in the case of hiccough arising from stomach disorders. The 

 roots of the umThente grass (I m ]) e r a t a a r u n d i n a c e a) are a 

 specific for the same purpose. 



A conmion feature of stomach complaints is nausea. 'J'he 

 native does notattem])t to seek the cause but uses indiscrimin- 

 ately one or other of several plants. As a fact the nausea Avould 

 seem to be due to intestinal worms and bile more frecpiently 

 than to anything else. He may crush the roots of the INcamu 

 (Othonna natal ensis) herb, and drink the cold water infu- 

 sion prepared therefrom. This may be effective, because the 

 plant possesses vermifugal properties. Half an inch square 

 of the bark of the uiiiQalothi (Strychnos henningsii) tree, 

 pulverised and drunk in a spoonful of cold water, is used for 

 the like purpose, and seems to act in the same way, having 

 the same vermifugal powers. When, however, the nausea 

 proceeds from biliousness, either the uhuHlungwana (We deli a 

 natalensis), or the isiNama (Achyranthes avicularis) 

 cum uMasiycoh) (Osteosperm um nervatum) emetics 



