MEDICAL I’KACTICES AND SUrBKSTITIONS OF KOKDOFAN 297 
15. Garingim. ( '? .) Dried root bulb, powdered with cinnamon bark, and a Local 
decoction made for use as a stimulant. drugs 
16. Cinnamon —used as a stomachic, aromatic and fumigant. 
17. Natron or Jardak. Common “surface salt,” picked up in dry, hard yellow cakes in 
certain districts of N.E. Kordofan, and composed chiefly of chlorides and nitrates. 
It is largely used for medicinal purposes in all stomach and intestinal troubles. For 
food and cooking; given also to horses and cattle to improve their condition. 
Powdered and used as a surgical dressing. 
18. Samn or tiemna. (Native Putter.) Largely used medicinally, as a medium for other 
drugs. For local application and for internal administration in various diseases, 
as much as a pint being drunk at a sitting and often over prolonged periods. 
19. Karkade. (Hibiscus sabdariffa, Linn.) (lied Sorrel.) The calyces used to brew 
“ Sudanese Tea,” a tonic and refreshing drink. This decoction forms a basis for 
many other drugs. 
20. Senna. (Cassia obovata, Goliad, and C. acutifolia, Linn.) The leaves used as a 
purge. Also dried and powdered as an application to burns and wounds. The 
seeds are sometimes added to marissa to increase its strength and flavour. 
21. Ushar bush. (Calotropis procera, Ait.) (Sodom Apple.) The leaves are used in the 
brewing of marissa, the prepared corn being spread on a bod of these and allowed 
to ferment. Some of the white juice is also occasionally added to the marissa 
itself to strengthen it. 
The bark, root, leaves, flowers, and seeds are all used for medicinal purposes, 
chiefly as strong diuretics and purges. 
A variety of sugar is obtained from the flower centre (Kersi-Fl-Nebi), which is 
highly valued. 
The white sap is looked upon as a strong poison, and if splashed into the eye 
the native considers blindness is sure to result; it certainly excites a violent 
conjunctivitis in animals (camels and horses), though I have never seen its effects 
on man.' It is used for local application in ringworm. 
22. Sakaran. (l)atura stramonium, Linn.) Distributed widely round El Obeid. The 
seeds are added to marissa to increase its narcotic effects, occasionally with fatal 
results. I believe it is a popular poison also.'-' 
23. Damin Ashara. ( '? .) “A guarantee of 10.” This root, which is very difficult to 
obtain, is carried by a great many Arabs and Nubas suspended round the neck 
or elbow, or attached to the sheath of a knife. It protects the wearer from 
bites of snakes. Should another be bitten, the end of the wood is charred and 
used to cauterise the site of injury. Small pieces are also eaten to hasten the 
cure. The natives have the greatest faith in the root. I have never seen it put to 
the test. Another root exists which protects the owner in like manner from 
scorpion bites. 
(a) (Damin Khamsa.) ( '? .) “ A guarantee of 5.” Similar to above but not so 
powerful, as indicated by its name. 
2-4. Shagaret en nar.^ (Fire tree.) ( '? .) The root is dried, reduced to a powder and 
applied as a dressing to syphilitic ulcerations, leprosy lesions, and septic sores. As 
also the leaves of TAkhdie, Shatta and Gulum. 
25. El Shairi. ( ? .) The root of a tree, which is worn as a charm against the 
evil eye, the wearer being immune. When a person is attacked by the evil eye 
the root is powdered and snuffed into the sufferer’s nostrils — much to his relief. It 
protects also against giddiness and sexual impotence. 
‘ lu India it is used to poison fcniule infants.—A.B. 
“ In Egypt, imt apijarently not in tlic Sudan.—A.B. 
■' Pi'oliably .-i spodes of /'Jii/dwrbiu. —A.B. 
