ZULU MEDICENE AND MED[CINK-]\[EN. 47 



Urinary Diseases. 



A large number of maladies connected witk the urinary 

 organs^ and which seem to be mainly kidney diseases, though 

 sometimes of the bladder and generative organs, are lumped 

 together by the Zulus under the one generic term iZemhhe or 

 itJovela. 



To be afflicted with this complaint, whatever form it may 

 take, is somewhat of a disgrace, for it is held to be the result 

 of illicit intercourse with the wife of another man who has 

 previously " treated " her in such a way that, although she 

 be in no wise inconvenienced herself, she shall nevertheless be 

 capable of conveying this disease to her paramour. The charm 

 used by a husband for this purpose is also usually called 

 iZemhhe or umSizi, and consists mostly of parts of certain 

 wild beasts {iziNyamazane) , charred and pulverised. 



The chief specifics for this disease are the uMakhandn- 

 h<i'ntsele (Eucomis undulata), and the bark of the imPisi- 

 TiayUilangulwa tree. The poisonous uMaliedeni or inGuhivumile 

 (Phytolacca a b y s s i n i c a) is also mostly used in this connec- 

 tic«i. A small handful of the paste of the bruised leaves, 

 sufficient to cover the palm, is administered, mixed in a big- 

 draught of Kafir beer. Soon a profuse perspiration breaks 

 forth, followed by vomiting and ultimately purging. The 

 root, however, is said to be much more potent than the leaves ; 

 a piece, half the size of one's thumb, is mixed, after pulverisa- 

 'tion, in a cupful of water and given to the patient to drink. 

 As before, a copious perspiration takes place, then violent 

 Amounting. This is assisted by the administration of large 

 draughts of water, time after time, whenever an inclination to 

 vomit manifests itself. Before long purging sets in. At this 

 stage a large portion of beer is given, which is said to allay 

 the vomiting, and the drug w^orks itself off by purging within 

 about twenty-four hours. Should the vomiting and purging 

 continue for a considerably longer period, say for a couple of 

 days, a fatal climax may be feared. Although so dangerous 

 and often lethal, skilled native doctors place an unusual reli- 



