The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-29
yvv PoTgoNING

Acuuiring a degree of immunity to poisoning by taking Rhus tonco- dendron homeopathic dtlution l believe is quite harmless for any one to try. Detailed directions (can't print them here afraid of typographical errorl are given m pamphlet on Ivy Poisoning which l will mail on request if you pro- vide e stamped envelope bearing your address.
 Tn recent years specific antigens for Ivy and Oak poisoning have been introduced. We call 'em "aI1" tiTens" to make lem seem more ex- pensive fancy. Anyway they are merely a refinement of the homeo- pathic Rhus tox. treatment a hair of the dog that bites you, injections (into muscle tissue) of minute quantity of poison ivyl or poison oak extract. This remedy is supplied to physicians by various pharmaceuti- cal houses. A single "shot" brings great relief within day or so in many cases; @ second dose may be give n next day in some cases; even a third shot" may be needed to- complete the cure. This highly ef- ficacious treatment was introduced about @ year after my unforgettable bout with dermatitis venenata ac- uired moving the lawn barefoot at a lakeside camp-the itching of feet continued to harass and tor ment me for six months or more. Oh, I suppose they didn't hold back on the new method just to irk me, but I often think what blessing it would have been had received a few shots of the antigen, or even had I a homeopathic friend who would have recognized what was in- dicated. I had to acquire immunity the hard way.
 Because had never before had any experience like that, notwith- standing indifference and even de- librat handling of poison ivy throughout childhood, I wonder whether I had possessed degree of immunity in early life, which, Sorle- how, lost about the time of that single attack of ivy poisoning. l wonder, too, whether I regained enough immunity to protect me since that one attack ttwenty odd years ago), as I have never had any recurrence. although believe l have been exposed repeatedly.
 Finally l wonder whether the im- munity people acquire by eating a wee bit of ivy leaf early in the spring, or by taking the Rhus tox. dilution internally, lasts for only the season or for many years.
 If readers have had personal ex- perience hope they will tell me about it-but not if may not use the information in this column should so desire. My interest is not for my personal sake alone, but 1t is for the welfare of all our read CTS. Correspondents who forbid me to print anything they tell me will save their own time and mine by telling me nothing.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Fatty Foods and Gall- Bladder
 When the surgeon discharged me after removing my gall-bladder re- gently he told me to avoid fatty foods and fried foods. This seems indefinite. O.. s.
 Answer-Fats such as olive oil, animal fats, egg yolk. cream. butter. oleomargarine. lard cause more vig- orour contraction of gall-bladder (expelling bile into inteStine). This may increase pain.
 Confidential
 Please give me the name and ad- dress of the patient spoken of in Mondays paper. tM. B. RI
 Answer--I cannot reveal the iden- tity of correspondent. f
 RuinOus
 Is 1t harmful for a l4-year-old girl to smoke? (Wondering).
 Arswer-Yes.
 Corn Remedy
 Friend, employe of - Drug Store told me to write to you for corn remedy. 0, W. s.
 Answer-Paint corn, wart or call Jus once daily for week or ten days with solution of 30 grains of sali- cylic acid in one-half fluid ounce flexible collodion. For soft cornS, keep spaces dry with pledgets of cotton or gauge between toes and apply same remedy.
 Copyright, 1944, John F. Dille Col 
 TW0 ROAnS TO MERLIN