Type No. of patients %
‘Rubutu’ * 7 4.4
 Herbs  † 10 6.3
‘Hayaki’· 32 20
Total 159 100
Various forms of first aid treatment administered to patients at home prior to presentation
* Herbs  in this context are a collection of different leaves, plant roots, pieces of tree stem or bark, which are soaked in cold water or infused in hot water singly or in combination to form a concoction that is given to the ill person as a form of medication
Hayaki’ is performed by sprinkling herbs on hot ember. The smoke generated is supposed to be medicinal. The patient is exposed to this smoke either by covering her with a piece of cloth enclosing the source of smoke or by leaving her open in the room where the herb is being burnt, the intension being to drive away the evil spirits!
·Rubutu’ could be likened to ‘Holy Water’. It is obtained by first writing some verses of the Holy Qur’an on a slate using native ink that is later washed. It is this washing (Holy water) that is consumed orally or rubbed on the skin of the ill person as medication against a variety of diseases.
Table 3: Treatment received by Patients at home.
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