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parted instead of three-foliate as in those of the poison ivy. The 
three upper leaflets are usually larger than the two lower ones. 
The margin of the leaflets are coarsely toothed to or below the 
] e veins are more prominent on the under side of the 
leaf. In early fall the leaves of Virginia creeper change from a 
dark green to a bright scarlet color. The bright color of the 
leaves together with the clusters of dark blue berries makes this 
plant much sought after in decorative planting. 
Poison ivy, or poison oak, as it is known commercially, poisons 
more people in this section of the country than any other plant. 
The result of the poisoning seldom proves fatal, yet the person 
affected suffers greatly from the intense irritation and swelling 
of the tissues and skin, which irritation is caused by the poisonous 
fatty or resinous constituent of the plant. To people susceptible 
to its effects, it acts as an irritant or caustic poison. Some 
people 
falling on the s will produce poisoning; while with others, 
direct contact een the leaves of the plant is necessary to produce 
irritation 
The first effect of poisoning by ivy is a mild irritation of the 
skin, which the sufferer instinctively rubs, unless he suspects 
the source of the irritation. Even then, some people do not 
refrain a scratching the skin. The result is that the outer 
skin is broken or removed. This gives the poison access to the 
inner and more sensitive tissues. 
The ere effect of this poisoning is reddening of the skin. 
This is followed by the blister stage. These blisters are caused 
by the infiltration . water between the outer and inner layers 
of the skin. If these blisters are perforated and the water 
allowed to run on an unaffected part, that part in due time 
develops symptoms of poisoning. In fact, a brisk rubbing of 
the fae affected during any stage of infection and a subsequent 
touching of an unaffected part will cause the poison to take effect. 
The effect of poison ivy on the skin can be effectively counter- 
acted during any of its stages by rubbing the parts well with a 
paste of bicarbonate of soda and finally leaving on the affected 
part a layer of this pasty mass, frequently moistening it as the 
water evaporates. 
