And this is the cure for the sting of the Demon Vine: —
Anything that will dissolve and remove oil without injuring the skin: —
Hot water, as hot as you can stand it, is good; a little salt in it helps.
Hot soapy water is good.
Hot water with washing soda is good.
A wash of alcohol is good.
But best of all is a wash of strong alcohol in which is a little sugar of lead as an antiseptic.
The Guide should remember that three persons out of five are immune from Poison Ivy, while a few are so sensitive that they are poisoned by flies carrying it to them on their feet. It can be easily cured if treated at once; if neglected it often becomes very bad and may need the help of a doctor.
This is the Eighth Secret of the Woods.
The Medicine in the Sky
This is one of the greatest and best secrets of Woodcraft — The Medicine in the Sky.
Let me tell you a story about it. There was once an Indian who left his own people, to live with the white man, in the East. But the Great Spirit was displeased, for he did not mean the Indian to live in houses or cities. After a year, the red man came back very thin and sick, coughing nearly all night, instead of sleeping. He believed himself dying.
