The Portland daily press., 1895-12-31
DYING FROM POISON IVY.
Farnham COnnOlly's Strange and PITT
liable Plight.
His Face, Hands and Limbs swollen-His
Terrible Pain-The Physicians Say His
Case is an Extraordinary One.

Terrible Pain-The Physicians Say His
Case is an Extraordinary One.
(From the New York SUM-
None of Thomas Connol1y's friends
would recognize him as he now lies in
the Fordham Hospital. His face is swol-
len to such an extent that the features
are almost obliterated, and his arms and
legs are almost twice their natural size
1t was said at the Hospital yesterday
that he might recover, hut his condition
is preoarious. Whether he RECEIVERS or not,
his case is one of the most remarkable in
stances of ivy poisoning that has come
to the attention of hospital physicians in
this city.
Connolly is farm hand, 90 years old,
and he has been working on the Dole
estate at Kingsbridge for some time On
Monday and Tuesday he was at work
trimming vines and shrubs about the
place. On Wednesday he was i'll and
complained of an itching and burning
sensation in his hands and face. Some
one suggested that he might have come
in contact with some poison ivy in the
course of his work, and he was urged to
go to a physician for treatment. He
waited until Thursday, however, and
then went to the Fordham Hospital.
There it was decided that he was suffer
ing from all ordinary case of ivy poison
ing, and after giving him the usual treat
ment he was discharged and went home.
He was told that the dressing which his
hands and face had received would prob
ably relieve the pain and reduce the
swelling. On Friday morning Connolly
was in terrible agony, and the swelling
in his limbs and face had increased.
An ambulance was called, and he was
sent back to the hospital, where he was
made as comfortable as possible. The
delay in applying adequate treatment has
allowed the poison to penetrate the mans
system and may cost him his life.
Some Of the farmers about Kings
bridge at first refused to believe that
Connolly's trouble was caused by poison
ivy. They said that the ivy was harm
less at this time of the year, and that a
man could not be poisoned SO seriously
by it. The symptoms in the case were
unmistakable, however, and a search
along the hedge where Connolly had
been working discovered profusion OF
the ivy vines.
The poison is said to be most danger
GUS In the spring when the sap has just
Eegun to start into the.vines, and it is
thought that the warm weather of the
/ past few weeks may have started it up,
tas it has the grass and vines in protecte l
places. 1t is probable that in the course
of his work Connolly's hands and fac
came into frequent contact with the ivy
vines, and in clipping off the vilSs be
may have got some of the crushed or cut
leaves into his hands. The sap is the
most dangerous portion of the plant.
Gases of ivy poisoning are not rare,
but they seldom result fatally. They are
most frequent in the spring and au
tumn, when many persons are in the
woods gathering vines and flowers. The
vine is common and may be found in al.
most any piece of woods between Canada
| anu oOOAS1Qs Az 40 hHOWA NY tdElOus
| names. One variety that grows in the
Western States is called poison oak. II
is larger and more dangerous than the
vine, and its main stems sometimes grow
to a thickness of five or ak inches.
| 1t is not difficult to distinguish thu
poison ivy from other vines. 1t is 9
hardy climber, with strong root-lik.
fbres, and is sometimes found growing
on rocks and walls, as well as on tree,
and shrubs. Its leaves grow three to
gether at the end of long stems and ART
rather long and pointed. They are
dark glossy green in color, with dow1
appearance underneath. When the stem.
or roots are broken caustic milky fluid
exudes. This milk will gather at the
end Of broken stem, and if exposed t.
the air for time will turn to a darl
black, which, as permanent indelibl,
marking is equal to the best indellibl,
ink. Applied to the skin it produces
itching, redness and swelling, which
usually causes intense pain.
| One popularity of the plant is that
| Wuiio cllupl6 COuthCb WIFI III Will ca uS(
large swellings and intense pain in tn,
case of some persons, others are able tt
handle the plant and even to chew tn,
leaves with impunity The sysmptoms
which indicate ivy poisoning, in addition
to those previously mentioned, are dizzi
ness and vomiting. dilation of the pupil.
of the eyes, and in advant ed cases par
tial paralysis Of the limbs.
When person begins to exhibit tn,
preliminary symptoms it is we'll to apply
| some relief at once, as the progress of the
poison is very rapid. The first thing t.
be done, If the poison has been taken in
to the stomach, as is often the case with
children, is to give an emetic. Thi.
should be followed by alternate doses O.
hot coffee and vinegar and water, and
| visit to the nearest physician.
| Although the Sealers' Association OF
| Vancouver passed an unanimous resolu.
tion a few weeks ago not to send ou
any sealing schooneIs until next Au