ZULU MEDKJINfc: AND MEDIOINE-MEN. .'33 



the fruit of this tree has the reputation of being- a potent 

 insecticide (being used in Zululand for the destruction of 

 ticks), and it may be also a germicide. He then administers 

 some of the same decoction to the patient internally ; but 

 what is chiefly relied on is the application of certain remedies 

 locally. These consist, as a rule, of the inKunzi (otherwise 

 uGu-pjeov{'S.) ilJheJa — Bopusia scabra) — which seems to be 

 a valuable nostrum for all kinds of intractable sores — the 

 umBomvane (Ochna atropurpurea), and the iimPhiq)huth<) 

 herb. Of these the roots are taken, pounded, simmei-ed, and 

 the decoction, when cool, administered as a clyster or simply 

 as a lotion for bathing the parts. This clyster or bathing is 

 repeated five or six times daily. Another method is to pound 

 the same dried roots into powder and then sprinkle over the 

 sore parts. The result is said to be a rapid healing of the 

 ulcer. 



The niiidaivi and uniBoiiivaiie are said to be rich in taunin ; 

 but perhaps they contain also other curative properties. Of 

 the nature and working of the uiKunzi and uniPJinphuflio we 

 know nothing. 



The uhuVimhlui (Withania somnifera) is also a specific 

 for this disease. A warm infusion is made of a small handful 

 of its roots, and the same quantity of those of the iCinKimlilo 

 (Pentanisia variabilis), with sufficient water to form a 

 clyster. A useful clyster is also made of a small bundle, 

 about one inch thick, of the roots of the isaMnyisaue 

 (Spermacoce natalensis). 



The most curious clyster I ever came across was the 

 following. It will be remembered that the inGumhhcme ulcer 

 eats away the tissue at the rectal orifice until it becomes a 

 gaping aperture, perhaps two inches in diameter, and tlie 

 healing of which is prevented by the constant discharge of 

 in-itating stools. A quantity of fat clay is, thei*efore, taken 

 and injected, in a semi-liquid state, into the rectvim. There it 

 dries and effectually blocks the passage for so long a time as 

 the muscular tissue at the anus may require to heal and con- 

 tract. The clay is afterwards removed by a fui-ther clyster of 



VOL. 2, PART 1. 3 



