Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-07-26
POISONOUS PLANTS.
What They Are and Some Antidotss to
Their Rect

"Nst Ahey Aro ana some AntidOtee Il
Their Rect
Prof Wilson Flagg observes that it ii
important that all who ramble in tn,
woods should be able to identify tn,
poisonous plants, not only that they may
avoid them, but that they may feel Sc
cure when such plants are near them
Some ofthe most dangerous plants which
are used for medicinal purposes may be
handled with perfect safety. 1 am moi
aware, on the other hand, that any bad
effects come from the internal use of the
juices of either of the two poison sum-
achs which cause violent Inflammation
when handled by certain people.
If l remember correctly, Kahn, the
Swedish botanist, tried variety of ex-
periments with the poison dogwood. He
rubbed its leaves on his face and hands
and drank decoction of its leaves. All
this was done with impunity. If 1 am
incorrect in this statement would thank
any reader who has correct knowledge
of the facts tn set me right. / have no
means of examining the source of my in
formation. The inflammation caused by
the poison ivy and the poison dogwood
resembles erysipelas, but it is not dan
gerous. 1t yields gradually to a wash of
weak solution of sugar of lead. There is
a popular belief that if one has suffered
an attack from it he is rendered more IL
able to be affected by any future expos
ure to the baneful influence of the plant.
1 have reason to believe this to be an
error. Some persons are very suscepti-
bic of the poison, while others are not
effected by it at all. But 1 have known
persons who were badly poisoned in
their early days who could, after becom-
ing adults, handle the plant with impun-
ity. An intelligent farmer, who had
such experience in his own case, believ-
ed that any one who is subject to ivy or
dogwood poison might counteract his
susceptibility by frequently handling it.
He cited his own experience as proof of
his theory.
Another theory is that the woods are
full of antidotes to the effects of ivy and
dogwood, and that the habit of many
persons professionally chewing the ends
of a pine twlg is a preventive. The
chewing of the tender sprouts of the
common pear tree is also considered
safeguard. mention these notions
without protesting any belief in them,
but they may be correct. Ifthey seem
insignificant remedies, because these
plants have no powerful medicinal quail
tiles, we must consider that the two nox-
ious sumachs do not manifest any pro-
perties of taste or smell that would lead
us to suspect their poisonous nature.
DIR. Rub remarks, in one of his medical
essays. that it is not safe to declare that
any plant is wanting in medicinal virtue |
on account of its deficiency of taste or |
smell, though he admits that the poison
GUS vegetables for the most part have a |
decidedly nauseous and dlsagreeable |
favor. Opium is bitter and tobacco is |
pungent and nauseous.
But as these properties If poisonous |
plants do not exist in all speles which |
are poisonous, it is prudent for all per-
sons who freqnent the woods, either for |
labor or for reci cation, to learn how to |
determine upon their safety. Now, with |
regard to the poison dogwood, l may say |
that it is not to be found in every wood, |
though not rare plant. 1t is an ele-
CANT shrub, seldom tree, but appearing |
in clumpe, like the common alder The /
leaf is pinnate, resembling that of the
American ash, but larger, and having a
greater number of broad, ovate leaflets.
As have said in another essay, this
tree is equaled by no other species in
our woods for the splendor and variety /
OF is autumnal tnts. There is NOR ex-
posure to the poison ivy, because it grows
There is hardly a wood or
woody pasture in the lowlands that is
not covered with it, and hardly an old
stone wall that is not festooned with its
elegant foliage. This climber resembles
the Virginia creeper in its general as
pect and climbing habits, and the two
plants may be distinguished by their
leaves. The leaf of each plant is com.
pound, but the ivy bears only three leaf
lets, while the creeper has five in whorl
hence, when one Isl at loss to determine
the identity of the plant, he must count |
its leaflets. Neither of the two poison
bears a conspicuous flower or
fruit. The flowers and fruit are
greenish, small and without any beau
ty. If one is doubtful, therefore, about
the identiIv of plant, he may be sure,
if it bears a handsome flower or fruit, it
is neither the poison ivy nor the dog
wood. As there is no other plant in our
woods, however, poisonous as drug,
that may not be safely handled, the rule
given above may insure anyone's safety.
In conclusion would remark that !
cannot regard the poison ivy as a very
dangerous plant; if it were more 80, we
should hear of more frequent instances
of its poisonous effects. As it grows al
most everywhere, it is hardly possible
for parties to spend half a day in the
woods without frequently handling it.
Some caution is, nevertheless, advisable.
If had an estate with trees near my
house which were covered with this
beautiful climber, should not remove
it. / should consider how extremely
small is the liability of any one to be af-
fecred by it, and that his exposure would |
be greater in crossing almost any rude
past-re that contained any shubbery |
than be visiting NV grounds.