ZULU MEDICINE AND MEDICINE-MEN. 67 



exao'sreration of the g-ranulations sometimes formed on the 

 innei* side of the eyelids after purulent ophthalmia. 



For pustular ophthalmia generally, incisions are first of all 

 made above and about the eyes ; then a quantity of the leaves 

 of the small red-berried islThumann, (Solanum capense), 

 found about termite nests, is boiled, and the face, held over 

 the steaming pot, treated to a vapour bath. The eyes are 

 subsequently bathed in the decoction, and the juice of the 

 berries may be rubbed into the incisions. There are several 

 other uses of this plant which tend to indicate that it contains 

 germicidal properties of some real value. 



The large rough leaves of the nLimilwenhomo or (N) uLimi- 

 Iwenyathi (Berkheya sp.) are employed in a similar manner 

 to the above. 



Another germ-killing plant is the umErnhhesa shrub, whose 

 roots are used as a lotion for sore eyes, as well as a powder 

 for destroying head-lice. 



The islHlosa herb is another remedy for ophthalmia. 



The inflammation or redness of the eyeball occurring in all 

 forms of this disease, especially in the common catarrhal 

 form, is relieved by an application of the pungent root of the 

 liSolo (Albizzia fastigiata), an inch of which is pounded 

 in a small quantity of cold water, and a drop or two of this 

 latter poured into the eye from time to time. The leaves of 

 the green-podded isiNama (Priva leptostachya), as also 

 those of the umTlinndaluha or Natal plum (Ximenia caifra), 

 are employed in the same way. 



The peppery roots of the medicinal t^^^'DiH/;' (Lasiosiphon 

 sp.), as well as the leaves of the uMjwndonde aloe, are burned 

 to ash, and a pinch of the latter inserted into the eye. Or the 

 flowers of the imPepJin herb are pounded, mixed with soot, 

 and dropped into the eye before going to bed. 



A universal household remedy is to apply in the same way 

 a little of the pulverised backbone of the cuttle-fish, or even 

 of the shell of the common snail — a simple remedy said to be 

 really efficacious with both men and beasts. 



Although the real sarsaparillas of South and Central 



