were tested for poison by applying tiiem to the skin, and when 

 an eruption appeared, it was cured q^uickly am permanently 

 by rubbing in a permanganate solution, usually mixed with 

 dilute sulphuric acid. 



3UIJMARY. 



Leaves and flowers of the poison ivy plant were extracted 

 with ether and the ether was removed by evaporation. In the 

 residue, the following substances were found and studied: 

 gallic acid, fisetin, the sugar rhamnose, and a poisonous tar, 

 gum or wax. 



The lead compound of the poison was soluble in ether; 

 this fact gave a means of separating the poisonous substance 

 from the non-poisonous i;jatter in one operation. 



The poison was not volatile with vapor of acetic acid, 

 or T.'ith vapor of alcohol* 



The poisonous tar or wax was decomposed by acids and 

 yielded gallic acid, fisetin, and rhamnose, showing the probable 

 source of these compounds in the plants, and indicating that 

 the poison is a complex substance of a glucoside nature. 



It was found that a portion of the poisonous substance 

 oould be precipitated by lead acetate from a solution of the 

 tar in 50'/o alcohol. 



-57- 



