MEDICAL I’HACTICES AND SUPERSTITIONS OF KORDOFAN 
307 
This man also recoiiniiended decoctions from— 
7. Tiehra root (?). 
8. De.Hohia root (?). 
9. lUi.iu root (?). 
These being given with large draughts of water, and a liberal diet (hut no salt) 
allowed. Neither must the patient he cupped, scarred, cauterised or his external 
lesions treated. Diarrhoea and vomiting often result. lie admits these cures to he 
drastic, but at the same time considers them thorough. 
10. Another treatment :— 
Half a rotl of Eshha. (Sarsaparilla) powdered and divided into 12 equal parts, one 
to be taken daily. The diet is to be light, chiefly dura, and no salt or vegetables 
are allowed. The patient is cured in 24 days. 
11. Sherkeila No. 2. Root (?) powdered and 2 ounces taken with a little water every 
morning for five consecutive days. No food to be eaten until the afternoon, when a 
liberal diet is allowed. 
12. Anti-syphilitic earth (Tiireha). Usually imported from the Nile; a variety also exists 
near Bara, where courses of a “sand cure” are undergone, the patient being buried 
in surface soil and taking it internally in the form of pills and in solution. 
The points of interest in all these treatments are, I think, the universal avoidance 
of salt in the diet (such like Talmx are indeed common to many native systems of 
treatment), the restrictions of the morning diet, and the scanty attention paid to 
superficial lesions. 
A great many “venereal disease’’ Hakims exist, most of whom do a brisk trade. 
The diagnosis of “ Syphilis ” is, however, very uncertain amongst them, many lesions, such 
as impetigo, psoriasis, etc., being clubbed together under this comprehensive heading. 
“ Wonderful cures ” are of course reported on all sides, and the non-professional 
English official is quite convinced in many cases that the native Hakim possesses 
mysterious knowledge and drugs far superior to the mercury and iodides of the English 
physician. 
Faranteet—Guinea Worm 
MetJuHla of troatme.nt :— 
1. Powder 1 oz. dried castor oil leaves, add water until a doughy mass is obtained. 
Fig. 78.~Nuba Pattens worn as a Preventive against Guinea Worm Infection—worn down by use 
I’lace this as a poultice over the wound or inflamed area every night and morning. 
On removing the poultice wash the limb carefully with hot water. 
Treatment of 
dracontiasis 
(gfiiinea worm 
