The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-06-09

to study a conservative review Of
methods of prevention and treat
ment. ] find one which emanates
from the Peter Bent Brigham
Hospital in Boston.
Poison ivy dermatitis has long
history in the United States. There
is a clear-cut account Of such poi
soning suffered by the members
of a Spanish expedition in New
Mexico, under Governor Valverde,
in 1719. In 1745 Peter Kahn, as
a result Of his travels in New
Mexico gave detailed description
Of rhus poisoning.
Easily Recognized
While poison ivy dermatitis is
usually easily recognized on ac-
count Of the sudden appearance
on exposed areas Of the skin Of
clear-cut, hard blisters which are
painful rather than itchy, the di-
agnosis should not be made final
until a history is obtained because
similar eruptions can be caused
by the following: iodine, furs,
dyes. cosmetics, tar, sulfur, chrys-
anthemum, primrose, sunfower,
celery, tobacco, orange peel Tin
sensitive people,, carbolic acid
and formalin.
Protection
Those who may be compelled to
Undergo exposure to the plant,
such as horticulturists and gar
deners, can obtain protection by
using an oxidizing agent on the
skin, such as potassium perman-
ganate solution, OIL per cent, or
a 10 per cent sodium perborate
ointment in a base of vanishing
cream. After the application of
the latter, a white deposit is left
on the skin.
In the treatment Of an estab-
lished case, no special application
can be certainly recommended.
One person finds one thing Of
value and another something else.
Among the most popular are po-
tassium permanganate solution,
boric acid solution Il per cent?.
zinc oxide lotions or calamine 10
tons. The most dramatic results
seem to come from the use of poi
son ivy extracts given by injectio
into the muscles.
Extracts Used
Opinions as to the use of poison
ivy extracts in prevention are
widely different. This is either by
injection into the muscle or taking
the extract by mouth.
Some fatalities have occurred
from the promiscuous eating Of
poison ivy leaves and poison ivy
fruit, particularly if it is unripe.
l find that eight dermatologists
have reported good results from
the administration Of extracts in
the specific treatment and proven
ton Of ivy dermatitis and four
who have reported no beneficial
effects from this. However, the
largest experience seems to indi-
cate that it is always worth try
ing for those who are repeatedly
subjected, season after season, to
this painful experience. Whether
the extract is given by injection
or by mouth, it is imperative that
it should be supervised by physi.
clan with experience who knows
the strength Of the extracts he i,
using.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Worried: "Does X-ray treat
nent for acne cause pits ?"
Answer - Any effective treat
nent for severe acne is likely u
cause pits.
B. T. N.:-"Are there any ser1.
,us effects following spinal injec,
tons given by surgeons for opera
tons? My daughter had this kline
of anesthetic for an appendicitis
operation, and since then we hav,
been told that it would cause in
sanity, epileptic fits or some othe
serious thing"
Answer-There Is no truth in
what you have heard whatever.
Busybodies Of that kind make
a great deal Of trouble.