is alleged to have resulted from being only in the vicinity of the 
plant. But it may also be possible that hairs or pollen grains 
blown from the plant to susceptible individuals may cause 
poisoning— truly without any recognizable contact with it. 
The most important question is, of course, what should be 
done to prevent or cure the disease? Answers to this are many 
in number. Alcohol, solution of permanganate of potassium, 
saleratus or sodium bicarbonate, alkaline solutions, strong soaps, 
etc., are found recommended as remedial agents. The justifica- 
tion for the use of alcohol is that it dissolves the oil. There is a 
great danger in using alcohol, however, namely, that it may, un- 
less large quantities are used to completely wash the poison off, 
even spread the poison and cause greater penetration ! 
Alkalies and saleratus are efficacious because they cause a 
saponification of this poisonous oil, thus rendering it harmless. 
Strong soap (yellow laundry soap is best because it contains 
more free alkali) has been tried and found effective. This is 
easily obtained, easily carried, and serves a double purpose; i. e., 
through its deturgent action effects the removal of poisonous par- 
ticles, and through its alkalinity causes saponification of the 
poison. 
ft should be emphasized that after any trip where there is 
any possibility of poison ivy having been encountered, a thorough 
wash with strong soap should be resorted to. 
If poisoning has occurred, careful washing with strong soap 
frequently, followed by a drying talcum powder, taking care that 
the blisters, in breaking, do not spread the poison, should result 
in no serious results being felt from the disease. If poisoning is 
severe, a doctor should of course be consulted. 
Poison ivy should be exterminated wherever it is known to 
exist. But much less of the distress due to poisoning would 
result if people were acquainted with the plant, and kept on the 
lookout to avoid it; if preventive measures were employed to pre- 
clude poisoning (especially soap and water and a scrubbing 
brush); and if care and intelligence were employed when a local 
poisoning was found to have occurred. 
G. R. Bisby. 
