ZULU MEDICINE AND MEDICINE-MEN. 73 



tog-etliei- a larg-e number of reputed cures, although uaturally 

 any siug'le phint would be used if others were wanting. 



The method of one Zulu doctor was to mix a quantity of the 

 ground root of the idThnmana (Solanum capense) with 

 another of pulverised snake, and give the suiferer to drink. 

 Another compounded together the roots of the idThinnana, 

 the roots or green fruit (excepting shell) of the umHlala 

 (Strychnos spinosa),the roots oii\\e iMunijane (Leonotis 

 leonurus), and other plants, made therewith a hot infusion 

 in about a quart of water, gave the major portion to drink as 

 an emetic, then, taking himself a mouthful of the remainder, 

 set about vigorously biting the patient (so as to draw blood) 

 in all parts of the body, allowing, as he did so, the medicine 

 in his mouth to enter the wound. This is the nearest approach 

 the Zulu doctor has made to subcutaneous injection. 



The fatal action of snake venom seems in some species, as 

 with the mambas, to be that of a nerve poison, with conse- 

 quent paralysis and the like ; in others that of a blood poison, 

 as probably with the puff-adders; in others, again, perhaps of 

 both combined. Now, the umHlala tree is a Strychnos, and 

 its roots or fruit therefore probably contain a certain percent- 

 age of that most powerful nerve-stimulant strychnia, which 

 has been proclaimed by Dr. Miiller as practically a cure for 

 some, at any rate, of the worst Australian snakes. This is 

 another example of how penetrating the observation and how 

 correct the knowledge may be of these untutored savages in 

 regard iu the properties and uses of the numberless medicinal 

 plants surrounding them. 



The isiThiunana, again, is known to be effective in cases of 

 stricture and palsy of the bladder-muscles, so that as a 

 counter-agent to the paralysing action of snake poison it also 

 has been quite rationally selected. What the exact working 

 of the iMmujaiie may be is not so manifest; but inasmuch as 

 it is capable of inducing intoxication and delirium, it also 

 probably carries some property of a nervine character. 



Among other plant remedies of high repute, and used as 

 specifics for snake-bite, Ave may mention the iuKukliane 



