Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-12-05
THE KAFFiR DOCTOR.
Queer Methods and Remedies Of Natal
Medicine Men.

Medicine Men.
In Natal native physicians are
divided into two classes-lnedicine
and herbalists. The former, known
to their fellows as izinyanga 20
kwe lapa, are especially proficient
IN the healing art, while tho latter,
rejoicing in the name of i2inyanga
zemeti, effect their cures through
the medium of herb; with medicinal
properties, of which there are over
100 species u the colony known to
the natives. One Of the most fire.
uuent case. with which native doc
tor has to deal is snake bite, and for
this there are at least Il dozen herbal
antidotes, the chief OF which Is the
root of the u 'ter asper, a small plant
somewhat Ike the daisy, with lilac
colored flowers. 1t has been used
with success by hunters on their
dogs when snake bitten, but the Sc
cret of the infallible remedy for the
deadliest snake bite is said to have
died with Cetewayo, who hada gray
powder which never failed to cure.
Herbs for cattle diseases are plenti-
full, but so far none of them has
stemmed tho onslaughts of rinder-
pest. The isi-nwa2i is a favorite
remedy for "redNateT' in cattle,
and is also empl dyed as an cmetic.
The umbelebele is very valuable as
an eye salve, and to its milky sap
the late Sir Theophilus Shepstone
was indebted for the preservation of
a valuable horse which had got
some of the binding juice of the
euphorbia into his eye. The most
popular plant, however, is the
u-mondi, whose aromatic roots act
as Il very wholesome tonic. 1t Is on
the oint of extinction in the colony,
and a large price is now paid for its
roots.
When called in, the doctor receives
a fee known as "ulugXa,' varying
from shillings. to half Il guinea,
according to his standing. Should
a cure result further fee is clainla-
BILE, but failure to cure is unreward-
ed by payment beyond the call fee.
Every doctor has to take out Ii
cense to practice from the magis-
trate or administrator Of native law
in the district, which must be favora-
bly, Endorsed by the chief of his or
her-for lady doctors have existed
from time immemorial among the
Kaffirs-kraal. For this license a
payment Of co is made, and the hold
er is Immediately removed from the
list of practicing physicians if so
rash as to sell or profess to possess
love philters or charms to soothe
the savage breast. And in the code
of native law male and female di-
viners and other quacks, such as
rain or lightning doctors, are ex-
pressly forbidden to practice the
black art. Though practically ex-
tinct in the colony, the profession of
dream doctor was in full swing in
Zululand prior to the dethronement
of Cetewayo, and they pretended to
detect and "smell out" any one
guilty Of malpractice-a conven-
lent method of doing away with
awkward relatives and opponents
Chaka himself assumed the Office
of dream doctor, and in pursuit
Of his profession 60 on one &C.
casion brutally murdered no fewer
than 400 women for mere lust of
blood. His last words were in keep
ing with his assumed role of a di-
viner, for, as he expired at the hands
of Dinoaan,a asaanaia.- ho ovalai'.aod,
"You think you will rule this corn-
try when 1 am gone, but I see the
white man coming, and he will be
your master. Pail Mall Gazette.