The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-16
TREATMENT OF IVY POISONING

Poison ivy leaves are always IN the
form of three little leaves on one
stem, the two opposite leaves having
short stalks and the middle leaf a
long stalk, all three being on a long
stem. The leaves are usually covered
with velvety hairs underneath, and
bear one or two notches on one side.
The ivy vine, shrub or bush bears
small yellowish green flowers in
spring, and later in the summer small
round smooth green fruits which in
autumn become ivory or white and
remain on the plant till winter.
Kerosene sprayed On the ivy will
destroy it, often with one thorough
wetting.
If you suspect you have come in
contact with poison ivy, an excellent
preventive remedy is plain gasoline,
used to sponge the exposed skin care
fully, by means of pledgets of cotton
or bits of cloth wet with the gas and
mopped once or twice over the skin
and discarded-not re-applied, for
the gasoline dissolves the irritant and
would carry it back to the skin.
One of the most popular first aid
remedies for ivy poisoning is pho
tographer's hypo hyposulphite Of
soda, formerly called thiosulphate.
Dissolve one and one-half ounces of
this in a pint Of water, and use it to
battle the affected surfaces or apply
it on congresses of cheesecloth or
linen, which should be kept constant
ly moistened with the solution all day
or all night.
Another first aid application which
has been praised by many victims is
a solution of tincture of iron chloride
in water-or rather mixture, half
and half, which should be used to
battle the exposed skin as early as
possible and may be repeatedly ap-
piled for the first day or two.
There is considerable evidence that
the internal use of homeopathic
dose of poison ivy will render a sus-
ceptible person immune. Indeed,
man, readers have assured me that
they have acquired immunity by ac-
tually chewing or eating wee bit
of poison ivy leaf, or in some cases
a poison ivy berry, two or three times
in the summer. If anyone is disposed
to try this caution him or her that
only a small fraction of leaf should
be taken the first time, say a piece
the size of the head Of pin. If this
causes no local reaction, in week
try piece the size of grain of rice.
After another week try whole leaf.
The following formula has been
used with apparent success by many
susceptible persons:
Ten per cent Tincture Rhus
ToXicodendron is drops
Glycerln drains
Syrup Of Orange, enough to
make IS ounces
Take one drop after each meal, in
water. Increase the dose to two drops
second day, three drops third day,
ETC., and after one week continue TAX
ing a teaspoonful in water once a
week till the season is over
It is only fair to say that I have
had reports of two cases in which Sc
we're reactions followed attempts to
eat poison ivy leaves, but in both in
stances the individuals ate several
leaves the very first time. y
For relief of the intense itching OF
severe ivy poisoning probably the
most satisfactory agent is the well
known calamin lotion containing some
phenol (carbolic acid, thus:
Powdered calamin ..... One ounce
Powdered zinc oxide. One ounce
5 per cent Phenol solution. ......
Three Ounces
Lime water enough to make one
pint Shake well and daub on as
needed.
The prompt hypodermic injection
Of suitable dose of ivy toxin brings
a happy end to the itching in "a
hours in many cases.