38-4 
of the same day, her face began to itch and burn, and in the night it swelled to 
such extent that the eyes were not only closed, but the lashes even were lost to 
view in the swollen countenance. Nearly two weeks elapsed before the symptoms 
caused by this exposure entirely subsided. 
A third peculiarity is that the plant is more poisonous during the night, or at 
any time in June and July when the sun is not shining upon it. Absence of sun- 
light, together with dampness, seems to favor the exhalation of the volatile prin- 
ciple (Zoaicodendric Acid) contained in the leaves. Of this Porcher says :* “ An 
acrimonious vapor, combined with carburetted hydrogen, exhales from a growing 
plant of the poison oak during the night. It can be collected in a jar, and is capable 
of inflaming and blistering the skin of persons of excitable constitution, who plunge 
their arms into it.” 
The symptoms caused by this plant are: First, redness and swelling of the 
affected part, with intolerable itching and burning, followed by vertigo, weariness, 
and a sort of intoxication. Infiltration of the face and eyes, and agglutination of 
the lids after sleep; great restlessness, pain, thirst, and fever. The surface of the 
skin, after a time, becomes studded with confluent bulla where the cellular tissue 
is loose, then a dermatitis follows resembling erysipelas; this may spread rapidly 
and finally communicate to the mucous membranes. This is followed by swelling 
of the mouth and throat, cough, nausea, and vomiting. Rheumatoid pains develop 
about the joints, and a painful stiffness asserts itself in the lumbar region, while 
the legs and arms become numb. Confusion of mind and delirium may then set 
in, during which the patient may become so ill-humored, restless, and anxious, 
that he will jump out of bed. The concomitant symptoms are inflammation of the 
eyes, dilation of the pupil, weakness of vision, and sometimes dilopia; frequent 
epistaxis ; brown coated tongue, with a triangular red tip; swelling of the parotid 
glands, with difficult deglutition; griping in the abdomen; diarrhoea; profuse 
urination; oppression of the chest; rapid pulse; great weakness, weariness, and 
prostration; soreness of the muscles, worse while at rest, and passing off when 
exercising ; sleepiness; and chilliness, followed by fever and copious sweat. 
There are almost as many antidotes recommended for Rhus tox. poisoning 
_as for the bite of the rattlesnake. Prominent, however, among the applications 
are: alkaline lotions, especially carbolate of soda, alim-curd, and hyposulphite of 
soda, keeping the skin constantly moist with the agent in solution; meanwhile 
administering Bryonia, Belladonna, Apis, Grindelia robusta, or Verbena urticifolia. 
. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 38. 
1. End of flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., June 27th, 1884. 
2. Outline of leaf. : 
3. Flower. 
4. Calyx and pistil. 
(3 and 4 enlarged.) — 
* Resorc. South, Fields and Forests, 202, 
