26 RHUS RADICANS, 
property in a greater or less degree. The poison 
ivy, however, appears to be less frequently. inju- 
rious than the poison Dogwood, and many persons 
cai come in contact with the former with impu- 
nity, who are soon affected by the latter. I have 
never, in my own person, been affected by hand- 
ling or chewing the Rhus radicans, though the 
Rhus vernix has often occasioned a slight eruption. 
Indeed, the former plant is so commonly diffused 
by road-sides and near habitations, that its ill 
consequences must be extremely frequent, were 
many individuals susceptible of its poison, 
_ ‘Those persons who are constitutionally liable 
to the influence of this poison, experience from it 
a train of symptoms very similar to those which 
result from exposure to the Rhus yernix, These 
consist in itching, redness and tumefaction of the 
affected parts, particularly of the face ; succeeded 
by blisters, suppuration, aggravated swelling, 
heat, pain, and fever. When the disease is at its 
height, the skin becomes covered with a crust, 
and the swelling is so great as in many instances 
to close the eyes and almost obliterate the features 
of the face. The symptoms begin in a few hours 
after the exposure, and are commonly at the height 
on the fourth or fifth day ; after which, desqua- 
mation begins to take place, and the distress, in 
most instances, to diminish. 
