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The African Accent

• June 21, 2009
• Ni Dawa!

  Posted: June 21st, 2009, 1:27pm EDT

  I'm one who generally tough out my ailments. Whether it's a headache, or something more serious, I don't usually take medicine; that is unless I am on the brink of precipice. I am not encouraging you all to follow my somewhat misguided footsteps, but, I question prescription medicines that are increasingly flaunted like 'holy spirit' cures that will cleanse disease and sin from the masses.
  
  I'm sure you've all heard the ads ... "Cure for an upset stomach! Side effects include bleeding nose, difficulty breathing, joint pain, stunted growth, liver and kidney failure. Some other serious side effects may occur. Ask your doctor if this path to an early demise is for you!
  
  
  
  In boarding high school, we'd go to the nurse exhibiting symptoms of the plague, a broken rib, and a mysterious itchy growth on the knee, and all we'd get is a couple of Panadol pain killers, and a half-tablet of Piriton [which is an allergy tablet] to help you sleep it off. These two drugs were the panacea of all diseases, infections, and mutations. Naturally, I learned to survive.
  
  The only medicine I'll be taking voluntarily are those alcoholic mixtures aptly named 'Dawa' at Carnivore in Nairobi. For you Toronto folks, if you didn't know yet, they serve them at Manyatta Restaurant Yorkville. It's not your average drinking hole, so bring at least a week's pay.
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