Smyrna times., 1933-08-16
IVY POISON
AND IT'S CURE
Here Is the Reason and a
Remedy For Your
PeruSal
WRITTEN BY ]. w. WYATT


enue, Haddon Heigts, n. j., son o,
late P. Fl. T. Wyatt of Smyrna
submits the following article, frs
published in the Weekly Visitor
Audubon, New Jersey, which will
be of interest and value to al
readers susceptible to poisoning
from ivy, oak or sumac: The skin
rash, blisters and terrible itch
caused by poison ivy, poison oak
and poison sumac is commonly
thought to be from the sap; which
is not always the case, as can
easily be proven by investigation.
The sap may be slightly poisonous
TO the skin, though it is cften used
as an injection for paralysis. Per-
sons who are susceptible to the
poison can catch it by walking
along the edge Of swamp or
woods where the poison plants are
growing, if strong wind is blow
ing toward them, from the plants;
or by passing through the smoke
of the dried burning plants. It is
also possible for some people to
take it in the winter time by walk
ing through the dry plants when
the sap is in the roots. The actual
cause of the disease is from a fine
powder which is on the leaves.
This can not be seen by the naked
eye, but by using a strong micro
scope it can easily be discerned
The three-leaved poison ivy plant
has more Of this powder on the
leaves than either of the other two
plants. 1t can easily be under
stood, therefore, why it is possible
to catch the itch in winter from
contact with the dried plants, or
from smoke or strong wind if the
person is susceptible. There are
three common chemical conditions
of the human body, as all doctors
and chemists know. These are
normal, acid and alkaline. The
first condition shows no chemical
reaction to the test of the spittle,
urine, sweat or chile, by the simple
use of litmus paper, the second
will turn the paper red, and the
third condition will turn the paper
blue. The quicker the color shows
up, the stronger the condition of
the body. Of course more inten-
sive tests can be made, but the use
of litmus paper will show the ac-
tual condition. Now a test will
prove that persons who are nor
NAL, seldom, if ever, take the itch
from the poison plants, and if they
do, it will only be slight. This ap-
plies to small children, who are
normal and are not affect
ed by the poison plants, unless
they have an abrasion or cut on
the exposed skin. Those who are
acid, naturally will take the poison
from the plants very easily, and |
the stronger the acid in the body, |
the worse the poison will affect the /
person. Those who are of alkaline 4
nature can rub the green or dry
poison plants on arm, legs Or face
with impunity. The foregoing can
be proven by anyone who Is suf-
interested to investigate
the nature of the individual. The
test Of the secretions should be
made as soon as possible after the
person arises from the bed in the
or small amount may be
lightly bottled and tested later.
With all due respect to physicians
Ind scientists, the cause Of the
poison and conditions Of the indi-
7idual are not generally known;
ind consequently, a general treat
nent is prescribed, which in some
:ases may infiict worse trouble
han the poison plants.
Treatment and Cure I
The treatment mostly prescribed
5 permanganate of potassium
his is mildly effective, but sat
rated solution of Epson salts is I
much better for arms, feet, hands [
y legs, but should not be used '
bout the eyes, on the lips, or any
'ther part of the body where the
kin is tender. The parts affected q
hould be bandaged. The solution '
hould be sopped on the sore places 2
nd as soon as dry put on again. ]
Also, a solution of sodium bicarb- :
nate (ordinary baking soda) may
e used on parts wnere the skin is
ender. The ordinary course of 2
his skin disease is three days to !
how up, and six to 10 DAYS of
reatment to cure. However, there
5 sure cure for this disease, and =
! is the juice of a wild plant,
which counteracts the effects of
he poison plants and stops the !
tch in an hour or two and will !.
ure the trouble in from three to
We days. (In plant life there is
general difference chemically in
he juice or sap; any student of
can find this if the !
hemistry Of the plant is examin- !