272 
THE HEALING ART AS PRACTISED BY THE DERVISHES 
Snake bite 
Scorpion bite 
A glassful of the iiowder was put into an earthen jar and tliree pounds of water were added 
to it. Twelve hours after this the solution could he used. The patient took a glassful every 
morning before eating and he continued to do so for a week. The accompanying dietary 
consisted of unleavened, unsalted bread (Kissera), and this reducing fare was taken for three 
weeks. Sometimes fifty dates were put into the tni-eha solution, twenty-five being taken in 
the morning and the remainder in the evening. 
If these measures failed, resort was had to LiJi.ha (Sarsaparilla). The plant was 
powdered and mixed with an equal quantity of sugar. .\n ounce of the mixture was taken 
twice daily. Sometimes it was used as a paste made u]) with honey and pejiper, at other 
times a syrup was manufactured. During its administration certain rules had to he followed. 
The patient had to live apart. A servant (always a very old woman) was assigned to him. 
He was forbidden to communicate with others. Ilis diet was to consist solely of Kissera. 
He must not give way to anger. This isolation was continued for forty days. If after this 
there was no improvement the sarsaparilla was to he repeated for another week. 
Thereafter a fumigation with talh {Ar.acia sei/al. Del.) wood was carried out. 
Snake bite. The point of puncture was incised, cupped or burned and then a “ Dilluka,” 
native gathering of people, was maintained for twenty-four hours with singing and heating 
on tambours to prevent the patient from falling asleep. It was thought that if he slept he 
would infallibly die. 
He was also made to drink hot native tea and was fumigated to incite free perspiration. 
The root of a plant, “ Brg-El-Dahib," was also applied to the bitten part. 
Scorpion bite. After bleeding or hurnitig, powdered “ Erg-El-.\grah ” was applied to the 
affected part. 
Fig. 57.- Shilluk Huts 
