Evening star., 1942-07-27
Leaves Of. Three.
Let 1t Be- Still
Good Warning
When Youngsters
Meet Poison 10y,
Treat at Once
By Leffice Lee Street,

By Lehice Lee Street,
Leaves OF three, let it be-" Is an
old-time warning chant that any
child can memorize. At the same
time parents may show their young
stars growing poison ivy or a pic
ture Of 1t. II little girls and boys
once learn the appearance of this
dangerous weed they can recognize
It and avoid 1t.
There Is no proven or safe method
6 preventing poison ivy other than
giving this rank and harmful plant
. Wide berth. The attempt to i'm
munize any one by injections made
up Of the plant extract mixed with
other elements can be dangerous,
and thus most doctors do not ap-
prove. II used at all it should be
given before the poison Ivy starts,
and never within three months of an
attack.
This painful eruption is caused
when the skins of sensitive persons
touch the leaves or Juice OF the weed.
In severe cases serious constitu-
taonal symptoms may appear. So If
. mother observes any abnormal
agnS m her child after exposure to
poison ivy. either Immediately or
within the week following contact,
she should call a doctor.
About the best method OF treat
ment Is the fashioned one Of
scrubbing the exposed parts with
yellow laundry soap as quickly as
possible. Every family living In the
suburbs, vacationing in the country,
U whose children are free to play
M neldS or vacant lots, should keep
. bar OF this soap In the medicine
0ahanet within easy reach.
II mother can educate her small
Try to wash themselves with the
soap directly after they have touched
poison ivy much misery can be
spared them.
II blsters appear, bandage the
Affected parts, 20 that the child will
not scratch and cause the eruption
to spread.
Another wretchsd summertime
alament children are likely to pick
up. Is ring worm. This Is caused by
. parasite, not worm" The af-
dicted area Is not always round,
either.
Fungus infections such a. ath-
1ste's foot are common, and they
should be treated at once when they
appear. The type Of ring worm
known as desmatophytosis (athlete's
fooO attacks the foot, between the
toes causing the skin to crack and
peel. It u contagious and this Is
why public swimming pools should
require bathers to walk through q
foot bath Of diluted chlorinated lime.
This Is also why mothers should not
allow their young sprouts to paddle
about sans shoes and socks on board
walks, swimming pool tiles or any
other area where people 60 bare
footed. Sneakers and bathing slip
pers are protection against ring
worm. The towels, socks, bed clothes,
ETC.. Of a child with ring worm
should be kept separate and steril-
lied. Once contracted, a doctors ad-
vice should be sought and carefully
followed. Unfortunately, the in
lection is very likely to reappear.
The skin Of the body, scalp, hands,
and even the finger nails, may be at
tackled, but for these infections the
prognosis Is good. When the scalp
Is affected the hair breaks of, it
does not fall out. Any such condi-
tions should be under the care Of
o doctor.
II treated soon enough small areas
H infection on the body will gener-
ally respond to applications daily,
for about five days, Of tincture of
iodine, dilute 1:5 in alcohoD as
this Is very likely to keep the fungus
growth from spreading. But what
Is the use OF taking a chance? Skin
disorders are hard to diagnose, and
since you are not doctor. don t
risk your childs health and beauty;
Aua . ~ l,,to>