Kaffir beer is used as a stimulant in cases of collapse. [[97]]
CHAPTER VI.
MIDWIFERY AND CHILDREN.
Childbirth is an exceedingly simple process, as a rule with the Kaffir; a native woman only allowing it to interfere with her duties for a few hours. Abnormal labours are seldom heard of.
Should any difficulty arise, a severe rubbing is sometimes resorted to by the women in charge.
Whereas this statement holds good for the commonality and some tribes, yet in others, e.g.: The Basutos, the time and method of childbirth is very different.
The woman when near her time returns to the kraal of her father, who pays the expenses if any, and of her mother, who is chief superintendent of details. Some expert old women of the tribe acts as midwife.
A special hut is built and kept carefully clean. On the floor is spread a thick layer of dry cowdung to collect the lochia etc., and the woman usually sits near this in a crouching position. She may, however, be on her knees or even lying down. A firm band is tied above [[98]]the uterus (to keep it from rising) and this is tied lower down after the birth.
The child is received into the hands of an assistant; and the umbilical cord, usually forcibly torn asunder several inches from the child’s abdomen. The cord may, however, be cut or sometimes chewed through by the midwife. The abdomen is, during the birth, rubbed and pressed, and the back assisted by an assistant.