employed in other like inflammatory
conditions.

#What do you understand by dermatitis venenata?#

All inflammatory conditions of the skin due to contact with deleterious
substances such as caustic, chemical irritants, iodoform, etc., are
included under this head, but the most common causes are the rhus
plants--_poison ivy_ (or _poison oak_) and _poison sumach_ (_poison
dogwood_). Mere proximity to these plants will, in some individuals,
provoke cutaneous disturbance (_rhus poisoning_, _ivy poisoning_),
although they may be handled by others with impunity.

Many other plants are also known to produce cutaneous irritation in
certain subjects; among these may be mentioned the nettle, primrose,
cowhage, smartweed, balm of Gilead, oleander, and rue.

The local action of iodoform (_iodoform dermatitis_) in some individuals
is that of a decided irritant, bringing about a dermatitis, which often
spreads much beyond the parts of application, and which in those
eczematously inclined may result in a veritable and persistent eczema.

#Describe the symptoms of rhus poisoning.#

The symptoms appear usually soon after exposure, and consist of an
inflammatory condition of the skin of an eczematous nature, varying in
degree from an erythematous to a bullous character, and with or without
[oe]dema and swelling. As a rule, marked itching and burning are
present. The face, hands, forearms and genitalia are favorite parts,
although it may in many instances involve a greater portion of the whole
surface.

#What is the course of rhus poisoning?#

It runs an acute course, terminating in recovery in one to six weeks. In
those eczematously inclined, however, it may result in a veritable and
persistent form of that disease.

#How would you treat rhus poisoning?#

By soothing and astringent applications, such as are employed in acute
eczema (_q. v._), which are to be used freely. Among the most valuable
are: a lotion of fluid extract of grindelia robusta, one to two drachms
to four ounces of water; lotio nigra, either alone or followed by the
oxide-of-zinc ointment; a saturated solution of boric acid, with a half
to two drachms of carbolic acid to the pint; a lotion of zinc sulphate,
a half to four grains to the ounce; weak alkaline lotions; cold cream,
petrolatum, and oxide-of-zinc ointments.

#How would you treat the dermatitis due to other deleterious substances
of this class?#

By applications of a soothing and protec