Oe Oo ER epee | 
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 91 
poison is simply spread on the surface of the skin and the 
after-effects are worse than if no attempt had been made to 
remove it. 
Another line of attack has been to find some substance 
which would precipitate or neutralize the poison so that it 
no longer had an irritating effect, and lead acetate has been 
regarded as the substance best calculated to accomplish this. 
Theoretically, at least, an alcoholic solution of lead acetate, 
being a combined solvent and precipitant, should remove the 
poison before it has penetrated the skin. The latest treat- 
ment has been devised by Dr. McNair of Chicago University. 
Having isolated the toxic principle of Rhus diversiloba, to 
which he has given the name of lobinol, he was able to experi- 
ment with various substances and definitely determine 
whether or not they neutralized the effect of the irritant. 
As a result of this work he came to the conclusion that a five 
per cent solution of ferric chloride in a fifty per cent solution 
of ethyl aleochol was the mixture most suitable for this pur- 
pose. If the hands and face are bathed in this solution imme- 
diately after exposure to poison ivy, no ill effect follows. 
A strong solution of ferrous sulphate in water has also given 
good results. 
The paraffin treatment which has been devised for burns 
is recommended to follow the application of the iron solu- 
tion, when the case of ivy poisoning has progressed so far 
as to need special dressing. The use of ointments has a ten- 
dency to dissolve and spread the poison and consequently 
should be avoided. Washing with the ferrie chloride solu- 
tion, accompanied by a paraffin covering or a light dressing 
of absorbent cotton moistened with an aqueous solution of 
ferric chloride, is the only thing necessary. 
AN UNUSUAL SPECIMEN OF TRICHOPILIA 
COCCINEA 
Six plants of Trichopilia coccinea were presented to the 
Garden by Mr. C. W. Powell, the orchid enthusiast of Balboa, 
Canal Zone, from a lot collected personally by Mr. Powell. 
Among the plants was a pure albino form, but unfortunately 
