66 REV. ALFRED T. i;RY-\]S'T. 



with a do.se of uZipho (Cardiospei-mum hal icacabum), 

 a handful of the leaves being pounded in warm water and 

 drunk. 



The leaf of the common kraal- weed iYoIi (Datura stramo- 

 nium), freed of its mid-rib, and laid over a painful wound or 

 sore, is certainly delightfully soothing, if not indeed also 

 curative. Another plant used in tliis connection is the green- 

 podded isiNama (Priva leptostachya), of which the seeds 

 are ground and spread on as a plaster. A leaf -paste of the 

 shrub Polygonum serrulatum is also an efficient sore- 

 healer. 



For cancerous growths {isiDla), as ulcerative or gang'renous 

 stomatitis, and popularly (though doubtfully) even for true 

 cancer, the large umBlnntlo Euphorbia (E. grandidens) 

 holds a universal reputation throughout South Africa of being 

 the one sovereign remedy. The so-called cancer bush 

 (Sutherlandia frutescens) has likewise a reputation as a 

 cancer cure, though I am not aware that its reputed 

 properties in this respect are known to the natives here. 



Thrush of infants {amaLovida) is cured by rul)bing over 

 the sore parts of the mouth the crushed leaves of the sorrel- 

 like isiTJiathe or (N) isiNungu (Oxalis semiloba). 



For itch {uTa-ayi), eczema {umFuht, umrnNa) and similar 

 cutaneous diseases the common specific is a lotion made 

 with hot or cold water, of the pounded bai-k and roots of 

 the uSolo or Flat Crown (Albizzia fastigiata). The juice 

 expressed from the leaves of the IBhucu (Bulbine natal- 

 en sis) is also used. 



Ophthalmia. 



Owing to the prevalence of scrofula, ophthalmia {iiiTelo) of 

 the strumous form is common among the natives. It is 

 regarded as the work of an uinThaTiatlii, and the skilful 

 doctor claims to be able to extract from the organ the 

 injurious bodies, which are declared to resemble small grains 

 of Kafir-corn ! This statement seems to be merely a childish 



