ZULU MEDICINE AND MEDICINE- MEN. 27 



liandful of whose leaves is bruised in cold water and a cupful 

 of the mixture drunk. 



All species of the Eviclea — the iDungamnzi of Zululand, 

 or in Natal isiZimane (E. natalensis),. the iDungamnzi of 

 Natal (male of E. lanceolata), and the nmShel-isane (female 

 of E. lanceolata) — seem to contain very strong cathartic 

 })rinciples, if not, indeed, injuriously so, since they are said to 

 frequently draw blood. The bark is taken from a piece of 

 the two-inch root, six inches long, and infused with, or even 

 slightly simmered in, a couple of milk-tins of water. This liquid, 

 if of the Euclea natalensis, is either drunk, or mixed with 

 more Avann water, injected per rectmn. There is a tendency 

 to vomit the medicine, which, however, is restrained. The 

 effect is that of a powerful cathartic. The prepai-ations 

 from either variety of the E. lanceolata appear to be 

 stronger still, and are never taken by the mouth, but only as 

 enema. 



Another drastically purgative veld-herb is the imPila 

 (Callilepis laureola), but this seems without any doubt 

 to be a virulent poison. Native doctors invariably mix the 

 imPila with other remedies, which, perhaps, tend to neutralise 

 its injurious principle. Half an inch of its root, powdered 

 and infused in half a tea cupful of warm water, is said to be 

 incapable of working any harm to an adult. Others take a 

 handful of the leaves, make a hot infusion Avith two large 

 cupfuls of water, and inject as clyster. Another very 

 strong cathartic, demanding great caution in its use, is the 

 umHlatJiolana (Turra^a obtusifolia). A good handful of 

 the bark from the roots or trunk, or of the leaves, is thoroughly 

 pounded and steeped in a pint or so of hot water. Ateacupful 

 of this is retained, and the rest, along with sufficient extra 

 warm Avater, injected as a clyster. The portion set aside is 

 immediately afterAvards drunk mixed in Avarm porridge or 

 gruel, the result being a complete Avashing out of the boAvels. 

 An equally strong purgatiA'c is the imFuzane herb, half a tea- 

 spoonful of Avhose ground root is mixed in a little gruel and 

 taken gradually in mouthfuls. 



