Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-08-01
FIRST AID FOR IVY POISON
Wood County Campers Should
Beware OF Prevalent Vine.

Wood County people who seek the
woods in the hot weather, should be
careful at this time---and in fact at
any time of the year not to come in
to close contact with poison ivy. This
injurious plant grows in almost every
cline and section of the country and
the woods in and around this city,
contain its share of the plant. Some
people can be near, and even handle
the ivy without evil effects, but these
are the exceptions, and the safest
way is to avoid it. For the benefit
Of our readers, who may at some time
come in contact with poison ivy we
append the following hints, given by
an authority:
"Poison ivy grows wild throughout
| the whole land. Its leaves are in
| three, smooth and shining on both
surfaces, with margins which may be
tOothed or even. There are flowers
in May and June and fruit in the
autumn-a smooth, white, waxlike
| berry. The poison it non-volatiie
oil found in all parts of the plant.
When it touches the skin of sus-
ceptible person is produces an erup-
ton of an erysipelas like nature. In
severe cases the point affected fire.
lquently becomes irritated year after
year. A person is particularly sus
ceptible to the poison in warm
| weather, when the blood is heated
and the skin pores are open. The
plant is however, dangerous at all
seasons. To relieve the Inflammation
and dry up the pustules powdered
sugar of lead dissolve in alcohol is
highly recommended. Tincture of
grindella diluted with three times it's
bulk of water and applied two or
three times an hour will check the
spread of the eruption. A solution
| of one part of hypOSulphite of soda to
three of water applied constantly to
| the affected place is a good remedy.
| The precipitated lead compound must
be removed from the skin, as it is
gradually decomposed and the oil set
| free again to continue its irritant
actions. The use of soap and water
and a good hand brush is the simplest
way of getting rid OF the oil. Alcohol
in full strength disSolves and removes
UIl0 Oll, UuU uO0S uOU ucuU dllZc H.
Care should be taken lest the alcohol
with oil in solution flowers over a
part as yet unaffected, as it may
cause further eruption. The use of
ointments and fatty substance is
wrong, as they serve to spread the
irritant oil of the poison. Clothing
that may have been in contact with
the plant will retain and transmit the
irritating quality. A doctor says he
has been poisoned by pair of shoes
worn while collecting ivy plants the
previous year. The ivy plant is u.s.
ually climbing or trailing shrub,
but sometimes assumes an erect habit
of growth. On the seashore along
the Atlantic coast it sometimes covers
hundreds of acres on islands and
spreads over large areas. The trunk
is buried out of sight below the sur
face, and the branches rise erect out
of the sand like separate plants. In
such forms of ivy growth the poison
Gus properties do not seem to be so
powerful and active. 1t is not gen.
orally known that if boiling water is
poured on the plant the vapors are
often poisonous, and that the smoke
from a bonfire of ivy brush is as dam
gerous to inhale as the breeze which
blows off the vines in June"