Nature Bulletin No. 32   September 15, 1945
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Clayton F. Smith, President
Roberts Mann, Superintendent of Conservation

We learn that in some schools last year, these weekly nature bulletins 
did not reach the science or biology teachers; in some they were not 
posted on any bulletin board, thus defeating their purpose. Four copies 
are sent to each elementary school in Chicago, and 9iX copies to each 
high school. We earnestly request that one or more copies be posted for 
one week on the appropriate bulletin boards, after which they be 
transmitted to the science or biology teachers for their use.

****:POISON IVY

Bulletin No. 26, dated August 4, stated that some protection against 
poison ivy could be obtained by rubbing the legs, arms, face and hands 
with a pasty lather of strong, brown laundry soap, allowed to dry on the 
skin. And that, as soon as possible after contact, the exposed skin 
should be washed with the same soap.

We were wrong. The authority from whom we got the recommendation 
was wrong. We have received a bulletin "Poisonivy and Poisonsumac" 
by William M. Harlow, published by the New York State College of 
Forestry at Syracuse University. Dr. Harlow's bulletin should be in the 
library of every public school, and particularly every botany teacher.

The latest experiments show that, because of the absorbent nature of the 
human skin, all measures to get rid of the poison must be taken 
immediately after contact, or within a few minutes And that the best 
solution appears to be a 10 percent water solution of potassium 
permanganate. Oily ointments should be avoided in the initial stages of 
poison ivy dermatitis, since they tend to dissolve and further spread the 
poison. Any suspected ivy poisoning involving an appreciable area of 
the skin should be immediately referred to a physician. Of the 250 
different "remedies", the few that are really effective should be used 
only under the direction of a physician.

One large drug-manufacturing firm advertises a poison ivy extract to be 
injected beneath the skin. It is claimed that such injections will prevent 
poison ivy dermatitis in persons known to be susceptible, or will effect 
a quick cure on persons who have acquired it.  We have requested Dr. 
Harlow's opinion of this extract as a preventative and as a remedy.