60 KEV. ALFRED T. BRYANT. 



are also called) is a frequent accoiiipanimeiit of heart troubles, 

 and is regarded as the result of tal-<tta poisoning. Several 

 such " poisons " are mentioned, vegetable and animal, but 

 among- the cgmmonest is the diodon or globe-fish (Tetraodon 

 stellatus and inermis) found along the Natal coast. Now, 

 we do know that some varieties of this fish are really 

 poisonous, although I am not aware how the poisonous prin- 

 ciple acts on the human system. It is just possible that it 

 may affect the heart, and so really give rise to dropsy of the 

 limbs. Whatever the cause, the native treatment is the same. 

 Chief reliance is had on the vapour-bath, already described 

 under rheumatics. Certain species of inTsema or dwarf 

 euphorbia (E. pugniformis and E. bupleurif olia) are also 

 employed, the roots being dried, burnt, and the ashes rubbed 

 into incisions made about the affected parts. 



There is a vaguely described complaint with the natives 

 called IsiBhoho or umaNxeha, which appears to be mostly 

 intercostal neuralgia, at other times muscular rheumatism, or 

 a symptom of liver disease. It is another of the takata 

 maladies. The amciNgice and the umZilauyoni^ or {^)uMiny(i 

 bushes are among the chief poisons supposed to cause it. 

 The latter bush is so named because all birds avoid it. The 

 witch-doctor is usually consulted by the patient as to which 

 poisonous plant may have been used, and the same plant 

 becomes once more the antidote. Should it have been either 

 of the above, the roots are boiled and given as an emetic, a 

 small portion being also drunk ; or they may be ground and 

 rubbed into incisions. 



Sometimes the roots of the uiiiQaquugo (Clerodendron 

 glabrum) are mixed with those of the IBoza (Moschosma 

 riparia), a hot infusion made with a quart of water and 

 taken as an emetic. Another remedy is the iBohlololo or 

 (N) inZicahuhluvyn (Senecio speciosus), whose leaves and 

 stalks are burnt and the ashes rubbed into incisions. Or the 



' This is said (tliougli personally I have some doubts) to he a diifereiit 

 plant to the umZilanyoni or uMaJdahekufaii tree (Croton sylvati- 

 cvxm) ah-eady mentioned. 



