The Benson signal., 1920-03-27
Seek Best Ways to Avoid lnfec-
ton and to Eradicate
N0xiouS Plants.
IMMUNITY DOES NOT EXIST
Economic Losses From Poisoning Are
Very Great and There Is Urgent
Need Of Widespread Campaigns
to Stamp Out Poisonous Plants.
prepared by the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture)

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
Washington, d. C.-The best ways
to avoid ivy and sumac poisoning, the
most practical means of eradicating
these noxious plants, and the most
approved method of treating cases of
such poisoning have been the subjects
of an investigation conducted jointly
by the United States department Of
agriculture and the public health serv-
Ice Of the United States treasury de-
partment. Despite general belief there
is good reason for believing that abso-
lutte immunity from ivy and sumac
poisoning does not exist, Investigators
state. They also found that many
common methods of treatment are not
to be commended. Poison ivy is some
times called poison oak. Poison sumac
Is also known in various localities as
poison dogwood, poison elder, poison
ash, thunderwood, and poisonwood.
These poisonous plants are widely dis
tributed While no accurate estimates
can be made as to the economic losses
resulting from poisoning, the total is
very great, and there is urgent need
for widespread campaigns to eradicate
these noxious plants.
Handle With Gloves.
If one must handle these poisonous
plants, gloves, preferably of rubber,
should be worn. After the gloves have
been removed they should be thorough
ly washed with soap and water and
rinsed several times. Inasmuch as the
clothing which comes in contact with
the leaves may be source of infection
for considerable period, care should
be taken in changing the garments, and
also the shoes. Many cases Of poison
Ing have resulted merely from contact
with exposed clothing.
One Of the surest and best methods
of minimizing or preventing infection
after the hands, face or other parts of
the body have been exposed, is to wash
and rinse them repeatedly with an
abundance of good kitchen soap and
hot water. The poison, after being
deposited on the skin, requires some
time to penetrate, and If this penetra-
tion can be prevented by thoroughly
washing, eruption and irritation will
not result. While exposed parts should
be cleanSed in this manner as soon
after exposure as possible, 1t Is worth
while to make the attempt even IL or
20 hours afterwards in the hope that
at least a portion of the poison may
be removed A heavy lather should be
produced and the washing should be
continued several minutes Severe
Scrubbing with a brush is not advis-
able, but several swabs or small COM
presses of gauze may be used, discard
ing each in turn. so that the poison
may not be distributed by the cloth.
Bathing with alcohol diluted with
an equal amount of water is also an
effective preventive. Where exposure
has been more general, a bath for the
entire body. followed by change of
clothing, is good preventive measure.
The hair should not be neglected.
Bathing If not accompanied by Suff1-
cient changing of water or rinsing may
result in spreading the rash to skin
that had not been infected. In cases
that are at all serious a physician
should be consulted.
Sugar of Lead Not Recommended.
The Investigators call attention to
the fact that scores of remedies and
prescriptions are more or less in pOpu
lar favor, but in spite of the claims
they assert that no specific treatment
for poisoning from ivy and sumac Is
vet available. Ointments should not
be used in the acute stage of the dis
ease. In the later stages, however.
soothing and astringent ointments may
be of value II. aliaying irritation and
fastening cure. The extent to which