294 THE WONDERFUL HOUSE THAT JACK HAS 



as vinegar or lemon juice, should be used. Copious 

 draughts of milk, raw eggs, or flour and water 

 may be given after the vomiting to lessen the bad 

 effects of the poison on the digestive organs. Where 

 pallor or coldness of the skin is present, heat and 

 stimulants may be used, but usually a doctor will 

 have taken charge before this condition exists. 



There are also many plants that are poisonous 

 to the body. A good rule for all is not to eat the 

 berries or any other part of a plant or shrub not 

 absolutely known to be harmless. The berries 

 may appear tempting and perhaps seem pleasant to 

 the taste. The root of the plant may be very similar 

 to some well-known cultivated vegetable, and yet 

 either the berries or the root may be very poisonous. 



Perhaps few plants give boys more bother and 

 discomfort than poison ivy. It is an ornamental vine, 

 bearing its leaves in clusters of three and gracefully 

 spreading over the neighboring ground and shrubbery. 

 Its grayish white colored berries are poisonous, but 

 it is not through these that its mischief is usually done. 

 The whole plant has the power when touched, or some- 

 times when even approached, of exciting a swollen, irri- 

 tated condition of the skin. In case of such poisoning, 

 witch-hazel and other healing lotions have a soothing 

 effect. 



