POISON IVY, OAK AND SUMAC 



THE best ways to avoid ivy and sumac poisoning, the 

 most practical means of eradicating these noxious 

 plants, and the most approved method of treating 

 cases of such poisoning have been the subjects of an 

 investigation conducted jointly by the United States 

 Impart ment of Agriculture and the Public Health Service 



POISON IVY 



This is also known as poison oak. It should be carefully avoided and 

 wherever possible the plants should be destroyed. 



of the United States Treasury Department. Despite gen- 

 eral belief there is good reason for believing that absolute 

 immunity from ivy and sumac poisoning does not exist, 

 investigators state. They also found that many common 

 methods of treatment are not to be commended. 



Poison ivy is sometimes called poison oak. Poison 

 sumac is also known in various localities as poison dog- 

 wood, poison elder, poison ash, thunderwood, and poison- 

 wood. These poisonous plants are widely distributed. 

 While no accurate estimates can be made as to the eco- 

 nomic losses resulting from poisoning, the total is very 

 great, and there is urgent need for widespread campaigns 

 to eradicate these noxious plants. 



If one must handle these poisonous plants, gloves, 

 preferably of rubber, should be worn. After the gloves 

 have been removed they should be thoroughly washed 

 with soap and water and rinsed several times. Inasmuch 

 as the clothing which comes in contact with the leaves 

 Ml 



may be a source of infection for a considerable period, 

 care should be taken in changing the garments, and also 

 the shoes. Many cases of poisoning have resulted merely 

 from contact with exposed clothing. 



One of the surest and best methods of minimizing or 

 preventing infection after the hands, face, or other parts 

 of the body have been exposed, is to wash and rinse them 

 repeatedly with an abundance of good kitchen soap and 

 hot water. The poison, after being deposited on the skin, 

 requires some time to penetrate, and if this penetration 

 can be prevented by thorough washing, eruption and 



POISON SUMAC 



This poisonous leaf, also known aspoison dogwood or poison elder, grows 

 on moist ground and in swamps. They can be readily distinguished from 

 the harmless Sumac and species of ash elder and other shrubs with 

 somewhat similar foliage. 



irritation will not result. While exposed parts should 

 be cleansed in this manner as soon after exposure as 

 possible, it is worth while to make the attempt even 12 

 or 20 hours afterwards in the hope that at least a portion 

 of the poison may be removed. A heavy lather should be 

 produced and the washing should be continued several 





