The old proverb, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is good advice to everyone, particularly as regards ivy-poisoning. Previous escape is not proof of immunity when conditions are right, and after poisoning occurs there is no quick cure known. Some relief may be obtained and recovery hastened by use of some of the tested remedies. In case of severe poisoning a physician should be consulted.

Poison-ivy and other poisonous plants growing in grounds frequented by people should be eradicated. In some places this can be done by careful grubbing. In others weed-killing chemicals may be better and more certainly would avert poisoning for most of us.

This bulletin supersedes Farmers' Bulletin 1166, Poison Ivy and Poison Sumac and Their Eradication.

Washington, D. C.

Issued August 1945

POISON-IVY, POISON-OAK, AND POISON SUMAC:
IDENTIFICATION, PRECAUTIONS, ERADICATION

By Donald M. Crooks, principal horticulturist, Division of Tobacco, Medicinal, and Special Crops, and Leonard W. Kephart, senior agronomist, Division of Cereal Crops and Diseases, Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Research Administration

Contents

Page
A widespread menace to health[1]
Forms of poison-ivy and poison-oak[2]
Common poison-ivy[2]
Oakleaf poison-ivy[9]
Western poison-oak[9]
Poison sumac[16]
Confusion of poisonous and harmless sumacs[19]
Introduced poisonous sumac and related species[21]
Poisoning[21]
Precautions against poisoning[22]
Treatment for poisoning[23]
Eradication of plants[25]
Chemical weed killers[25]
Eradication by mechanical means[25]