ZULU MEDICINE AXD MEDICINE-MEX. 51 



syphilis {Z. iBuha, islPatsliolo, ilGcusuIil), with good results, 

 while in its primary and secondary stages, by preparations of 

 nhiiVimhha (Withania somnifera), of umThnma (Sola- 

 num melogena), and several species of the umThomhho 

 (C is samp el OS torulosa, etc.). In Natal, as compared with 

 the Cape Colony, the disease is a comparatively recent intro- 

 duction, and yet, when not too far advanced, the local 

 medicine-men seem generally able to get the better of it. I 

 have not heard of their using any of the above-mentioned 

 Xosa specifics for this purpose, although they are fully 

 aware of the really antiseptic or germicidal properties of the 

 uhuVimhha, for it furnishes them with one of their chief 

 remedies for the malignant rectal ulcers of the isiGicebedla 

 disease, while the blood-purifying powers of the umThomhho 

 are also known, it being universally used for scrofulous 

 affections. 



The Natal men, I find, administer internally a decoction of 

 the roots and leaves of the rtNJalivana veld-herb, also a 

 decoction of the leaves of the common aloe or uniHlaha (A. 

 f erox) ; and they sprinkle on the extei'nal sores the same 

 leaves charred and ground, or better, a paste of the 

 bruised leaves of the uZipho ov IKhamhhi lezlduU {C a, vdio- 

 spermum halicacahnm), the umDlonzo (Mikania capen- 

 sis), the umSintsl (Erythrina caffra), and the iiXJinphozi 

 (Ranunculus pinnatus), is laid on as a poultice. All of 

 these latter plants (especially the first and last named) possess 

 intensely caustic properties, and should therefore be allowed 

 to remain on the body but a short time, perhaps not more 

 than an hour. They are said to burn and bring away all the 

 foulness of the ulcerated parts, leaving them clean, and 

 stimulating them to rapid healiug. 



For all urethral and vaginal discharges or sores of a 

 generall}^ venereal nature, as in gonorrhoea or gleet {uGola, 

 iKlilahhu, IDilophu, or sometimes by the generic terms itJovela 

 or iQondo), a large pill is made of the pounded leaves of the 

 iiZi/pho, which is then thrust into the vagina or penis, and 

 allowed to remain. A copious draught of beer is subsequently 



