The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-29

The stem is spotted like hemlock, the
leaves grow in a curious antlered
shape, and though umbelliferous 1t has
three long, slender leaf-like strips that
spring from beneath each little cluster
of flowers downward. The fools" par
sley grows in rubbish heaps out in the
fields, and often springs up in care
lessly kept garden, attaining a height
of two or three feet. Except its close re-
semblance to the true parsley, there is
nothing especially attractive about the
fools parsley that would cause it
to be eaten.
Besides the water parsnip" there are
several other slightly less poisonous va
rieties of hemlock. and it is a good plan
to shun all umbelliferously lowered
bushes and plants found wild in damp
places.
The common stinging nettle, although
not generally classed with poisonous
plants, is still the foe of mankind. 1t is
an herbaceous plant growing to three
feet in height, with lond, curled, sharp
point | leaves, provided with countless
little hairs, each terminating in a keen,
brittle point, that breaks off readily
and allows a small quantity of irritat-
ing juice to escape. If one has only the
courage to grasp the nettle firmly the
points can be broken without entering
the skin and no inconvenience results.
The United States agricultural de-
partment has recently made study of
the poison plants and declares the
poison of the ivy and sumac consists of
dark oil called t-toxicodendrol,'' found
in the greatest quantities at the roots
1t is generally necessary to touch and
handle a poison plant in order to be
affected, but some people are so sus-
ceptible that they take" at distance
of three up to twenty feet when the
wind is blowing upon them from the
plant.
The toxicodendrol remains virulent
until it is totally destroyed. Even the
sumac has frequently poisoned persons
Being oil it is insoluble and cannot
be washed off with pure water. The
malady produced is of an erysipelOus
nature, usually appearing at the place
of contact; however, in severe cases it
has been known to spread to various
spots on the body where the skin is
most tender. The eruDtions form bis
ters,. and after three or four days
break slowly. peel and heal up. The
temptation to scratch is almost over
powering.
When the body is heated and perspir-
ing and the pores all open the poison is
communicated more easily with dire re-
suits. and undoubtedly were it possible
to handle the ivy or Sumac in the win
ter time with dry, close-Dored hands,
there would be little danger to most peo-
pie. There are very few remedies sug-
gested for the cure of poison, and that
given by the department of agriculture
is probably the most efficacious. A weak
grade of alcohol. 60 or So per cent, hold
ing in solution as mucn powdered sugar
of lead as it will take. is the lotion. 1t
should be applied with soft pads of cot
ton or silk sponge frequently until the
eruptions are entirely dried up and the
skin begins to heal A botanist at one
of our T>Sge universities also gives the
following: Hyposulphite of soda, half an
ounce; glycerine, Gnree ounces; carbolic
acid, so drops, and water. one ounce.
The sugar of lead might also be dis
solved in pure cold water instead Of al
cohoL-Nortn American.