UNTOWARD REACTIONS FOLLOWING TOXIN TREATMENT FOR DERMATITIS VENENATA

Abstract

In 1916, Schamberg¹informally reported favorable results following treatment for dermatitis venenata due to ivy (<i>Rhus toxicodendron</i>) by means of oral administration of an alcoholic extract of the leaves of the plant. He made a formal report²in 1919, in which he advised two types of treatment: preseasonal prophylactic and seasonal curative. In both treatments, he began with the administration of very small doses (1 or 2 drops) of the alcoholic extract by mouth. In the preseasonal cases the extract was given three times daily, each dose being increased by 1 drop until 21 drops were reached, at which time the dosage was increased to 1 teaspoonful. This dosage was to be continued throughout the season. If dermatitis had already developed, the system of treatment was the same, except that each dose was increased by 2 drops. After the dosage reached 18 drops, it was increased to 1