The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-05-24
WARNS AGAINST
 IVY. POISONING

IVY. PUiSUNING G | ma fact that poison ivy grows very paentifully in this vicinity, especially along the seashore where SD many go for outings or vacations, and that largo numbers are yearly affected by the poison, leads us to believe that a short discussion of the subject is timely and may be of va1ue to those susceptible to the poison
 A recent article in the United States Pwbgir Hea5tln Reports, under date of Fsstruary Z7, 1920, covers the subject very fn11y and we shall quote from ttazis article freely without further ac- Acknowledgement
 While the poison of ivy is not fatal, tho ann1samce and discomfort is great and i'm snme instances is so pro- nouneed that the persons affected are prevented from attending to their uaua1 vacations for long periods Yak ing into consideration the general prevalence of poisonous ivy of the various varieties and the vast nun bers affected, the economic loss must annually be great
 Poisson ivy or mercury, as known to Rnany, grUwS as trailing vines or low shrubs and is recognized by its three
 
 three-1eaxed ivy The leaves are long and nrarrow, dark green on top and 1ightar en,lored on the lower side When once known it Is easily d1Stn- Euisfra-bae and the most careless ob- server cam tell fit at a gESsee from the harmless vines sdrrubs- Poison 2Sy srpwD a1oug fences, walls, rocks and even eainr1Hrs trees. It grUws in pas tureN, woodlands and t1hic1zets, along roads aud streams. Often it is allowed .ar, hor1r!ish in door yards and even in IufbEc IsaTks.
 Poisson ivy causes irritation of the skim through some principle which can be ezxtractsed from the leaves, roots, flowers and green fruit. The minutes quantities of this produces the 1rr1ta- tion. The slightest contact with tn e 1e,aves or roots may be sufficient to cause the poison and it may be trans feuTer from aOrre person to another by currtact fuy ElothinsS or handling u1en- ssils that have been used by a person hautinr, tho eruption, or have brT1shed aasya.inssL the Tala1Its. 1t is claimed by nnsarfy that those particularly suscep- t1fsle may become infected by being In close rn,uxfrdty to the growth. It IS yusohsd1NLe tEaat. in ssrzch cases the poison fs Aeunyeyeta by wfnd-borne pollen ,w,Ilicfh may be carried comparatively l1urHs cctistances. The writer has known ursmry irfStaTNces where the smoke from .bnrrIines rilsunts has caused the irrita- iuiuxn. The plant is said to be a violent irrftarft and nre1ncotic poison when .taaoen fn1ernaiatw. Many animals, aS- lupetiaInFy .eattle eat the foliage with iarrsHnesrrt fnnrrsmllty. Many regard la.heansestmes sas inlfnthrfe ito asN-ion of the leoOisOM and it is prohafble that some GO asossess a, strong resistance, 'btit It Is not 1flaesly that amy ;sare absolutely frr+- I1m,nne. The time between exposure c and t5Esa appearance of symptoms of 7rne poisson varies from a few hours tc several days probably depending up- ,On tfe susceptibility of the persons t.he 1tfsr-ts affected and the amount o1 exposure. The parts most frequent Iy attacked are ~the hands, forearms face and other exposed parts. It fresnuently conveyed ito the other DOT .tions of the body by the hands oi csLoHtiine.
 HssmIffi.s and itcfing are the frs tsynsptssns of tn etrouble, followed b, indaIastn8rrstion of the skin and a 'fin' ,pz,pt1la rash that often becomes yes ici1lar There is a strong desire tt sscratch which gives but slight relic and often tends to aggravate the ir I,itat.ioq and is likely to spread tht itosison to other parts. As the inf1am
 nat.ion subsidies there is more or les SiesduanladiOR of the Sk1n-
 Persons known to be susceptible t' the poison should avoid localitie where it grows but it can be handled with ifnptlnity if thick or rubbe gloves zns worn and care is takeI that the ivy or dust does not toucl a.ny of the exposed parts. In renov ing the gloves, it is necessary to b. ea.refsl that the bare skin does no x,one in contact with the poisonou material that is harbored upon tn outside of the gloves. Lest the glove later cause trouble, they should b thoroughly washed in hot water an, soap,
 If 6nA is known or suspected t J.as5e ibeesn subjected to the poison proaaadt and thorough washing wit soad, and hot water will almost sure av oreyent the irritation. as the pois On penetrates the skin slowly. T be effeeziye the washing must b done as soon after exposure as pos eftie. Alcohol diluted with an equa mart of water can be used effectively Either washing with soap or alcoho must be thorough or it will be use less. Many remedies have been trie
 with mere OF less success but it to be remembered that what wi
 help one person may not anothe and that different stages of the irri tatiea requires different treatment. the 5,Fophylaetic measures mentione above do not accom- plish the desire
 results it is better to consult a com
 Betent physician as if allowed to run
 very annoying results may ensue-
 There are many homely and UT
 ofieiai remedies that are often e1
 Actively used as both preventive an
 curative measures. The writer ha - freauentiy seen ordinary ''househol
 amnenis" both prevent and cure tn
 Irritation, At first this should |
 diluted with an equal part of wate
 and if we'll tolerated the strengt
 may be increased until no diIutio
 Is necessary. A solution of bicarbor
 ate of soda frequently gives tempo