Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 298, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1916 — REMEDIES FOR IVY POISONING [ARTICLE]

REMEDIES FOR IVY POISONING

Direct contact with the poison ivy plant is not always necessary to produce poisoning, as the poison may be transferred from clothing, gloves, and implements, also fronj towels used by those who have been in contact with the plant. When reason to believe that there has been exposure to the poison, repeated washing with warm water and strongly alkaline soap as soon as possible is advisable. There is no one remedy that will cure all cases of ivy poisoning, and in severe cases a physician should be consulted. Specialists of the department have found the following methods and formulas useful in many cases: At<-the'-outset, removal of the cause of the irritation may be accomplished by cleansing the inflamed surface repeatedly with alcohol, or with a saturated solution of sugar of lead in alcohol, using a fresh bit of lint or absorbent cotton each time, to avoid spreading the irritant., The sugar of lead solution can not be jised over extensive areas because of risk of lead poisoning. Covering the inflamed parts with lint or absorbent cotton kept constantly moist with limewater or with a saturated solution of bicarbonate of soda will afford relief. When this can not.be used, a simple ointment, such as zinc oxide ointment, is. recommended. A solution containing 1 ounce of fluid extract of grindelia to 1 pint of water-applied on«cloths and allowed to " evapofate may afford relief. Black wash, prepared by adding 1 dram of calomel to 1 pint of limewater, may be applied two or three times a day, ftllowed to dry, and followed by zinc-oxide ointment. This treatment must be used With caution in extensive cases because of the possibility of mercury poisoning. The acute inflamation of ivy poisoning is sometimes followed by eczema and secondary infections of the skin, which, in mild cases, will yield readily to treatment with bland antiseptic ointments. A formula highly recommended for ivy poisoning and often especially helpful at this stage is the following: Catholic acid 2 grams. Resorcin 2 grams. Bismuth sufrgajlate < 4 grams. Equal parts water and limewater to make w 250 c, c. This solution may be dabbed on the affedted parts several times a day. ,