Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-31
Health Talks by Dr.. Brady
The Quick Cure of Ivy Poisoning.

The Quick Cure OF Ivy Poisoning.
On several occasions there has been given
In this column. as we'll as by mail to numerous
correspondents. the formula and directions for
treatment with a very dilute extract of poison
IVY leaf for the purpose of removing individual
sehsltization to this poison. The formula is
as follows:
Tincturc OF rhus toxicodendron. .......I part
syrup OF orange. enough to make. 100 parts
Beginning with two drops after breakfast.
IN a wincsiassfui of water. take IA dose thrice
aaiiy AFTER meals. increasing by two drops
each dose until eighteen drops arc taken at
one dose, then take one tcaspoonful once n
uay until the supply is exhausted. II you
expect To come In contact with poison ivy
frequently throughout the season. it is we'll
10 continue taking n teaspoonful two or three
times a week. The protective effect lasts ONLY
(" rev weeks or months, and the same course
OF deschsitizinE treatment must he repeated
the following season il protection Is desired.
MANY persons who have suffered with ivy
'"'SohinE experience an annoying and very
obstinate skin Inflammation or irritation over
" pro'ohsed period Of months or years there
"''e ~ mas pccn found that Il course Of the
foregoing demonstrating treatment brought
ron'Pietc relief TO many such chronic skin con-
ditions resulting from an attack Of ivy der
mathis.
II would be safe enough and perhaps Of
some benefit TO begin this course OF dcsensitiz-
ing treatment even after an attack Of ivy skin
inha animation has started. But the benefit. IL
any. would be 81 little too slow. to be par
ticularly appreciated by the sufferer.
y much more ciiicacious treatment to en-
ploy after the dcrUatitis or skin innamma-
ton has actually started is the injection with
u hypodermic needle directly into muscle It's
sues Of a very minute dose of an extrac, Of
poison ivy. Dr. Albert Stricklcr. Of phila-
deIphia, has reported a long series of cases In
which the method OF catmeu has brought
most grateful relief to the itching within
twcnty-four hours as II rule. and practically a
cure in a very few days-in contrast with tho
usual duration Of two or three weeks.
DR.. Stricklrr directs that fresh. leaves OF
poison ivy he gathered. extracted by the phar-
macist with absolute alcohol, and the extract
filtered and prccipitatcd. The prccipitatc Is
dried and extracted in Soxhlct cxtractors for
ten hours, and the extract obtained is dried
at low temperature. The toxin or poison is
carefully weighed and dissolved in absolute
alcohol. y proper amount OF srcrilc water Is
then added to make the solution nonirritatinE.
The dose of this toxin solution administered
by hypodcrinic injection into muscle tissue is
from onc-half to two cubic ccntimctcrS (about
eight 10 thirty drops every twenty-four
hours. but usually two injections are sufficient
for quick relief and cure.
In some instances the poisoning is by sumac
rather than Ivy. and il that is known to be
the case. AN extract OF fresh sumac leaves
made in the same strength and manner as
described for ivy leaves, should be employed
in the same doses in treatment.