37-2 
It is a well-known fact that this species will prove poisonous to many persons 
who are unaffected by &. foxtcodendron, and, like it, even the emanations of the 
shrub are virulent to many, while others may handle, and even chew it, with 
impunity. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark, stemlets and leaves are 
treated as in the preceding species. The resulting tincture is opaque in even 
small quantity; in thin layers it has a deep red color; its taste is bitter and 
astringent; and its reaction acid. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—An examination of the juice by Dr. Bigelow* 
is the only analysis so far made; this shows no active principle. An examination 
of the chemistry of 2. éoxicodendron, page 38-3, would not be out of place here, 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Many opportunities are offered for study under 
this rubric, on account of the numerous cases of poisoning, both on record and 
often occurring in country practice. The general effects are usually ushered in 
within a day of the exposure, commencing with a general flush of the skin, accom- 
panied by intolerable itching and more or less tumefaction, especially at first of the 
hands and face; this continues until an erysipelatous condition apparently ensues. 
A more livid appearance follows, with great burning, followed by groupings of 
watery vesicles, which soon coalesce; this is followed by pustules forming of the 
watery vesicles, which finally discharge and form yellow crusts, which later on 
become brown and disgusting in appearance. Great heat and swelling have mean- 
time progressed until the face is often unrecognizable ; this condition is about four 
or five days at its height before resolution commences. Marks are often left, and 
sometimes the crusts remain chronic on some portion of the exposed parts for 
long periods. One case in my practice had resisted all the efforts of physicians 
for over thirty years; then yielded in about thirty days to a high potency of the 
drug itself at my hands. 
Several cases of poisoning came under my observation here some four years 
ago in several young men employed in a boot factory as finishers. Their duty was 
to dress the new boots with a black varnish applied with a sponge by the right 
hand, while the left hand and arm was thrust into the boot. All suffered from a 
scabby eruption about the left biceps and right hand and wrist, while the fingers 
of the right were cracked, sore, inflamed and painful. Upon first observing the 
cases | judged some poison must be used in the varnish, and so informed them; 
to me Rhus seemed to be that substance. While on a train, a month or so later, I 
overheard two manufacturers of boots, who sat before me, talking of their trade ; 
when, on passing a swampy spot, one pointed out of the car window at some 
R. venenata, and exclaimed, “ That is the stuff we use.” These cases all yielded 
finely to zdem high, 
The specific action of the drug, collated from various cases, is as follows: 
Sadness and gloomy forebodings; vertigo; dull, heavy headache ; smarting and 
burning of the eyes, with dimness of vision; redness and swelling of the face; 
ed 
* Am. Med. Bot., 1, 4€2. 
