Norwich bulletin., 1920-07-28
GIVES TIMELY ADVICE FOR
 THE POISON IVY sEAsO,

The poison ivy season is on at this time of the year, and the bureau oe pre- ventable diseases, connected with -he state department of health, Ias issued bulletin in answer to numerous in quiries about the ivy and how it may be eradicated.
 The poison ivy vine is found in may places in Connecticut, along roadsides on stone walls, in fields, and in fact it adapts itself and fourishes in almost any soil. It is often overlooked as 1t in- termingles with other shrubbery. and the unsuspecting individual handles it and is poisoned. The symptoms appear from few hours to four or five days after contact with the ivy vines. The ivy is more poisonous in the spring and sum mer when the acrid juice of the plant is most abundant.
 Ire leaves of all forms of poison ivy are in threes, each leaf stalk bearing three leaflets. The foliage is a beauti- ful red early in the spring, becoming green in summer and in the autumn turns to scarlet and orange shades. The Virginia creeoer is found in localities where ivy grows and although 1t is harmless, it is often mistaken for the poisonous variety. The Virginia creep CT is easily distinguishahle from poison ivy for each leaf stalk bears from three to five leaflets instead of three only, as in the case of the ivy vine In addi- ton. the creeper, being of the grape family, bears small blue inedible ber- ries and has numerous tendrils.
 Much can be accomplished toward the protection of persons who come in contact with Rhus vines. and also in preventing or lessening the disastrous effects following exposure. Toxic plants can usually be handled with inn pnity if rubber gloves are worn, pro- vided none of the dust or irritating ma terial comes in contact with the body.
 "One of the surest and best meth nds of individual prophvlaxis is the use If soap and hot water Ii has been found
 hat the Rhus poison after being depos- ted upon the skin requires certain inc for penetration can be prevented. irritation and the resulting eruption will not occur. Hot water and soap act me cl7arically, and if iudiciously used con stitute by far not only the most service able preventative but also one of the best curative agents which We at present pos sess"
 This may be followed by bathing with salt water or a solution made by dis solving one teaspoon of boric acid in 2 glass of hot water. applying when it is cool. A paste made from bicarbona te of soda and water will often alleviate the trouble. "As previously mentioned. the soap-and- water treatment is dis tinctly curative in those cases where all of the poison has not penetrated"
 CD The most rapid and egective meth cd of dealing with isolated c1umps of poison ivy is simply to grub them out taking care to remove thoroughly the running rootstocks. which if left in the ground would soon produce another crop of plants.
 (2) Kerosene has been recommended by the '. s. Forest Service to be used where injury to other plants is of no consequence. It should not be used near other valuable vegetation. The usefulness of the soil so treated is not long impaired and other plants grow again within a year after the soil is treated with the kerosene.
 (3l Arsenite of soda can also be used but it is poisonous and has the disad- vantage of being injurious to small trees and vegetation and may render land use less for a prolonged period One to two pounds of sodium arsenate to 10 gal Ions of water is the solution used
 (4) A hot bmrine solution is also ef- feetive, using three pounds of salt per gallon of water. This must be repeated several times during the summer.