1912] The Ottawa Naturalist. 37 



reputation to the fact that they have been used just as the 

 disease was abating' naturally, and straightway the}' got credit 

 for a miraculous cure. A trapper of my acquaintance assured 

 me that a fresh poultice of jewelweed (Impatiens fulva) was a 

 sovereign remedy, but a personal trial failed to prove his asser- 

 tion. 1 have heard of an infusion of Antennaria (species not 

 stated) having been used with success, and a ten per cent, 

 solution of sodium hyposulphite is sometimes prescribed, but 

 there is really no specific known for the disease, and the most 

 effective remedy only shortens the period of the attack. My 

 friend, Dr. Graham Harkness, of Vineland, Ont., wdio is himself 

 very susceptible to the poison, and consequently has had a 

 great deal of experience in its treatment, has kindly given me 

 the following notes on the therapeutics of the subject: 



"If a susceptible person finds that he has exposed himself to 

 poison ivy. he should, as soon as possible, wash thoroughlv in 

 warm water and castile soap, and then apply a dilute solution of 

 ammonia. This will often prevent an attack. 



An attack untreated will run its course in about 18 da vs. 

 Properlv treated it will subside in a week or 10 days. 



For small patches scrub thoroughly with a stiff brush, or if 

 on the face, run over them with a safety razor, and applv 

 alcohol. This treatment is somewhat painful, but causes the 

 spots to dry up and disappear in 4 or 5 days, and besides it ab- 

 solutely relieves the itching. 



For a more generalized attack nothing is better than the 

 old-fashioned lead and opium lotion: one teaspoonful each of 

 lead acetate and laudunum to 4 oz. of water. 



The principle of all treatment is the same: apply astringents. 

 The more effectively this can be done the quicker the cure. 



For the unhealthy condition in wdiich the skin is often left 

 after an attack, nothing is so good as arsenic in the form of 

 Fowler's Solution, 2-5 drops in water three times a day." 



But here the proverbial ounce of prevention may well be 

 quoted a good deal above par, and the moral is. even if you are 

 quite sure that you are immune., have no unnecessary commerce 

 with poison ivy. 



BOOK NOTICES. 



The Evolution of the Vertebrates axd their Kin, by 

 William Patten, Ph.D.: P. Blakiston's Son &Co.: Philadelphia; 

 price 84. 50. 



In this volume of nearly 500 pages. Dr. Patten has given us 

 the result of a quarter of a century's effort towards the solution 



