The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-03-26
Seek Best Ways to Avoid lnfec-
ton and to Eradicate
Noxious Plants.
IMMUNITY DOES NOT EXIST
Economic Losses From Poisoning Are
Very Great and There Is Urgent
Need Of Widespread Campaigns
to Stamp Out Poisonous PlantA

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 Graduating
these noMOus plants, and the most
approved method Of treating cases OF
such poisoning have been the subjects
Of au 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.
II one must handle these poisonous
plants, gloves, preferably Of rubber
should be worn. After the gloves have
been removed they should be thorough
~ washed with soap and water ant
rinsed several times. Inasmuch as thu
clothing which comes in contact will
the leaves may be a source Of infection
for considerable period, care shoul'
; be taken in changing the garments, AM
. also the shoes. Many cases of poison
. Ing have resulted merely from contac
with exposed clothing.
One of the surest and best method
, Of minimizing or preventing infectio
! after the hands, face or other parts G
, the body have been exposed, is to was
and rinse them repeatedly with a
abundance Of good kitchen soap an
. hot water. The poison, after bein
: deposited on the skin, requires SON
!. time to penetrate, and If this penetr'
: ton can be prevented by thorough
washing, eruption and irritation wi
! not result. While exposed parts shou
i be cleansed in this manner as SOC
q after exposure as possible, 1t is wor
:, while to make the attempt even ~
i 20 hours afterwards in the hope tn
+ at least a portion Of the poison mi
be removed. A heavy lather should
= produced and the washing should
: continued several minutes. Sieve
!. scrubbing with a brush is not adv
I able. but several swabs or small CO.
: presses Of gauze may be used, discal
ing each In turn. 50 that the pois
= may not be distributed by the cloth
- Bathing with alcohol diluted wi
- an equal amount Of water Is also
70 effective preventive. Where exposr
has been more general, bath for
g. entire body. followed by change
N clothing, Is a good preventive measu
~ The hair should not be neglect
" Bathing, If not accompanied by 81
n Client changing Of water or rinsing, n
Id result In spreading the rash to 81
that had not been infected. In ca
that are at all serious q physic
= hould be consulted.
- Sugar Of Lead Not Recommendse
no The investigators call attention
ne the fact that scores Of remedies
M prescriptions are more or less In pc
ne lar favor, but in spite OF the ella
they assert that no specific treatm
ng for poisoning from ivy and sumat
mt vet available. Ointments should
e." be used In the acute stage OF the
mr. ease. In the later stages, howe
mt soothing and astringent ointments
- be Of value in allaying irritation
=. Fastening cure. The extent to wi
Il ID desirable to use solutions Of