Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-11-27
MANY POISONOUS WOODS.
Some Trees are Dangerous and Cause
Severe Skin Eruptions.

Nettles, poison ivy and poison su-
mae are by no means the only plants
Which have n poisonous effect on the
human skin. Poisonous substances ex-
list IN many trees. and even after they
have been cut and sawed a sufficient
quantity of the poison remains in the
lumber so that workmen who handle
1t are liable to infection
Amherwood is impregnated with n
powerful poison. according to Dr.
Heinz Graf, who has been Investigate
ing the subject for the German Bo-
tanical Society.
The two different kinds of wood are
included under the term underwood
the genuine East Indian or Asiatie
satinWood. or "silkwood," and the satin
hardwood or underwood. The two are
quite different in external appearance.
Nestier succeeded in extracting the ac-
tive substance only from the latter.
This Is stearinlike substance soluble
only in ether. A small quantity of 1t
placed in contact with the skin of the
underarm, in the course of about five
hours produced a tensely swollen yell
lowish blister surrounded by a red
area Of Inflammation. After the burst
ing of the blister an ulcer remained
which required four weeks to heel.
What is known as "cocobolo' wood
contains a poisonous substance easily
soluble in alcohol and benzol, less 50 in
water. 1t is apparently an ethereal oil.
The placing Of fine sawdust ON this
wood on the moist skin causes first u
violent smarting. Following this, red
spots or pimples appear. accompanied
by redness and Inflammation Of that
part OF the skin, followed by scaling.
Similar phenomena are caused by the
plant Cortusa Matthioli, but they are
even stronger, since blisters arc pro-
duced. Touching the plants is enough
to cause irritation, and the Infection
may be transmitted to other persons
ny hands SO infected. The bearers of
the irritating substance in this case
are gland-hair5 as is in the case of the
primrose This substance is a crystal
| liable sap which can be extracted
f, from gland-hairs.
The sawdust of the Mexican bluegum
is harmful when the skin is especially
sensitive from some other cause. A
oerculosis and who later died from it,
was attacked, after splitting this lum-
Der, by an eruption of the under-arm
which forced him to stop work. Others
who did similar labor for years mad no
i'll effects. In this case the tuberculo-
sis may have created the disposition.
AS result of his investigation DIR.
Graf urges all cabinet makers who
work in satinwood and gardeners who
grow poisonous plants to protect their
hands. arms and head from direct con-
tact with the wood, sawdust or injured
portions of the plants. At the first
sign of any inflammation of the skin
the sufferer should receive the atten-
ton Of dermatologist.
II has long been thought that pois-
ening might result from the proximity
OF sumae even il the plant was not
touched, but Dr. Graft denies this. A
visitor to the Berlin Botanical Gardens
recently brought suit for damages Tor
injuries which he alleged he had sui
TO a poisonous sumac, which is on
exhibition in the gardens. But the suit
was lost for the directors of the gar
dens proved eonclusiFely that ia pois-
onins 10 occur the plant must be in
,ured and tho Injured portion brought
into direct contact with the sSin.-Aew
York American