29G 
MEDICAL PliACTICES AND SUPEliSTITIONS OF KOllDOFAN 
Local 
drugs 
facts as the variety, distribution, action, etc., of each. The “ Hakim ” and drug vendor 
seem often to know little beyond the native name or names of their wares, which are 
presented to the enquirer only as specimens, scraps of bark, roots, seeds, etc., beyond which 
obvious facts further information is difficult to obtain—on asking their use one is commonly 
met with the reply, “ Alashan et Dam” or “Dam sakit,” the word “Dam” (blood) 
embracing every conceivable form of illness, and often only on patient questioning 
can more explicit details be elicited, and a consensus of opinion obtained. 
1. Kohl. (Black Antimony.) Sold raw in the SAk. It is powdered and used for 
cosmetic p)urposes, being painted round the margin of the eyes and introduced into 
tribal scars and tattoo punctures to produce a permanent blue coloration. It is 
also applied to granular lids, alone or mixed with powdered sugar. 
2. Zabid Malih. Bone obtained from the cuttle-fish, imported from Egypt. Powdered 
and mixed with Kohl for use in cases of granular lid and conjunctivitis. 
3. Siiccar Nehut. Sugar extracted from honey. Eaten as a sweet. Also used to 
“ clean the stomach ” in indigestion and again powdered with Kohl for application 
to granular lids as a caustic. 
Powders are applied to the eyes on a small probe or brush, which is passed 
along the margins of the lids and surplus powder left among the eye-lashes. 
4. lihech. Dried leaves of the sheeh tree ( ? ), used as a powder or decoction 
in cases of flatulence and gonorrhoea. The drug is imported from Egypt. 
5. Ilarijal. (Salemnostemiiui Anjel, Hayne.) The leaves of a shrub used alone or with 
sheeh in dyspepsia and flatulence and as a specific in fevers. Imported from Egypt, 
also grown in the province. Purgative action. 
6. Ardoh fruit. (Tauiariudus indicus, Linn.) The fruit of the tamarind tree. A thick 
paste is made by boiling the fruit until most of the water has evaporated. This paste 
is then rolled into halls and dried in the sun. For use these balls are dissolved in 
water, the solution being drunk as a purge (senna leaves being often added) and as a 
febrifuge. (By far the most popular specific for fever in Kordofan, where the tree 
flourishes and is widely distributed.) 
Ardeb bark — used as a tonic and febrifuge. The root as a specific in chest 
complaints. 
7. Shah. Alum (imported), powdered or dissolved, and used for application to wounds 
and in cases of conjunctivitis. Also applied to the gum in toothache and given 
internally in gonorrhoea and leprosy. 
Burnt with charcoal, to fumigate children suffering from fever. 
8. (Jarad. Fruit of the Sunt tree (Acacia arahica), a universal remedy. The fresh fruit 
sucked in cases of “ Chest trouble.” .\n infusion drunk as a specific in fevers, 
syphilis, gonorrhoea, leprosy, and many other diseases. 
I). Henna. The leaves of the Henna shrub (Lawsonia alba, Linn.), powdered and added 
to water or vinegar, are applied to the body surface in cases of fever, especially 
among children. It is also painted over sites of inflammation and used for cosmetic 
purposes to the finger and toe nails, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. 
10. Itashad. Aromatic seed (?). Imported from Egypt. Powdered and boiled with water 
it is used as a stomachic in indigestion, loss of appetite, etc. 
11. Ishba. (Sarsaparilla) (smilax) sp. (?) Imported. Used in decoction for syphilis. 
12. llelba. (Triijonellii occulta, Del.) The seeds cooked and eaten in disorders of the 
stomach and in cases of rheumatism. 
13. Kamrnud —Aromatic seeds. ( ? .) Powdered and used as snuff in cases of 
headache. A decoction given to relieve colic. Imported. 
14. Maldab. ( ? .) A decoction of the seeds used in cases of colic, especially 
among children. 
