ZULU MEDICINE AND MEDICINE-MEN. 69 



plants commonly allay the pain at tlie same time by killing 

 the nerve. Carbolic acid is a good example of this kind of 

 drug with us. 



The famous thorny usiKJvumukela bush, growing in the bush- 

 veld, is one of the princij)al native medicines. The dried roots 

 are ground into a powder and inserted into the cavity of the 

 tooth, having the above-mentioned effect. The small reddish- 

 berried islThiimana (Solanum capense) is said to possess 

 the same powers and is prepared in the same way. The root- 

 bark of the 'U7iiNungicune (Xanthoxylon capense) is pun- 

 gent and disinfectant. Applied as before it is said to relieve 

 the pain very rapidly, and no doubt at the same time destroys 

 the corroding bacilli.^ 



The powdered root of the uviKhovothi (Ch^tachme 

 meyeri) and the leaf-paste of the uhuHlungivana (Wedelia 

 natalensis) have the reputation of being equally efficient as 

 dental anodynes. 



Others poultice the painful tooth with a paste of the pounded 

 roots of the wmHlakuva or castor-oil plant, or chew the roots 

 and leaves of the is-i8inini herb, or the very bitter, milky roots 

 of the umThomhho climber (Cissampelos torulosa). 



Not only can the native doctor speedily rid you of toothache, 

 but he will tell you with equal conviction that, by imitating 

 the peculiar cry of the imBhulu rock-monitor (Yeranus 

 albigolaris) you may as speedily induce it! 



Extraction of Thorns. 



The professions of the native doctors in regard to the extrac- 

 tion of thorns are no whit less marvellous than those in regard 

 to the extraction of teeth. A few uNyaicothi (? Penicillaria 

 spicata) seeds are taken, one half thereof ground very finely 

 and inserted into the wound, the other half sown whole in the 



' It is curious that the kindred tree (Xanthoxylon fraxineiuu) 

 should be used in America for identically the same purpose, and be 

 there locally known as the Toothache-Tree. This fact testifies to the 

 probable usefulness also of the Natal species. 



