Poison Ivy
This vine runs along the ground and climbs trees in just the same way as the beautiful Virginia Creeper. It is quite readily distinguished, however, for Poison Ivy has but three leaves in a cluster, while Virginia Creeper has five leaves.
The poison rash is caused by the irritating juices of the plant.
“My, How My Hand and Arm Burn and Itch”
“My, I wish I’d known that when gathering my flowers,” said another girl. “I really believe I’ve gathered some poison ivy among them. Look, is this the ivy? It has three leaves.”
“It certainly is,” said Soami. “Please throw it overboard. You may have a case of ivy poison ‘for fair,’ though not everybody ‘takes’ poison. Maybe you’ll be lucky.”
“I sincerely hope so,” said the girl so fervently that everybody laughed.
“Well, anyhow, don’t scratch!” warned the Guardian of the Fire.
But the next morning’s class hour revealed the result of the day’s adventures. Two girls came with bad cases of plant poison, and nearly every girl had been sunburned.
“It Has Three Leaves”
“Well, well,” said the assistant nurse, when the girls told of their experiences. “Although I’m sorry for you, this is really very interesting, for it will make you girls see the real helpfulness of our lessons. You can very soon relieve each other of your unpleasant skin irritations, for I shall give you notes on what to do for—
Sunburn
(See [Reference List])
Sunburn is the result of exposure to the direct or reflected rays of the sun, sometimes causing the skin to blister and peel.
To Prevent:
Before exposure, spread over the face and arms, cold cream or any grease at hand—even cream off milk; or use toilet powder.
Keep the head covered, but have air space between the top of the hat and top of head.
Treatment:
Never wash sunburn.
Never open the blisters.
Mix a lotion of one part limewater to three parts olive oil (sweet oil), and apply.
You see, the treatment is very much the same as for burns.
Plant Poisoning
(See [Reference List])
Poison Ivy and a few other plants cause a rash upon the skin after contact with their irritating juices. Everyone should learn to distinguish poison ivy, which has three leaves, not five, as has the Virginia Creeper (see [picture] in this chapter). If this poisonous plant were recognized and avoided, there would be but few cases of plant poisoning.
Treatment:
Do not scratch.
Mop on rash a saturated solution of Epsom salt, or boric acid, or baking soda,[G] with a small “sponge” of absorbent cotton, which is to be thrown away after using. Allow application to dry in the air.