Anybody recognise this weed? Similar looking to a chickweed.Finding this in my new garden I thought I had better post this...
Keeping birds,it has been my habit in summer months to hand pick a few dandelion leaves and other green shoots which the birds seem to like picking through.
Some three years ago I plucked some of the above leaves and threw them into the aviary...thinking no more about it I continued with my work and a few minutes later my eyes felt uncomfortable...I rubbed them,as you do, and within seconds I was hit with unbelievable pain in both eyes...within minutes I was totally blind.I found my way to the sink and stuck my head under the tap...no effect.
Being alone I panicked and staggered to the house next door...no answer.Now I was really crapping myself...I suddenly heard a voice..."Are you alright mate?" it was a passing window cleaner.
He phoned 999 and I was rushed to the eye hospital...all the time in awful pain.They rushed me in and a nurse immediately bathed my eyes with a solution that stopped the pain almost within seconds.
Some three hours later after treatment my sight returned and there was no long term damage.
God knows what would have happened without that passing window cleaner.The doctor told me the milky sap from the plant was one of many with extremely toxic effect if coming into contact with the eyes. Obviously I had inadvertantly rubbed my eyes shortly after picking the plant...after a lifetime of picking leaves for birds and rabbits without accident I never thought to wash my hands...How many kids do after playing outdoors and picking flowers and plants all day long?
Needless to say I now wash my hands regularly when weeding or handling plants...Do you??
Keeping birds,it has been my habit in summer months to hand pick a few dandelion leaves and other green shoots which the birds seem to like picking through.
Some three years ago I plucked some of the above leaves and threw them into the aviary...thinking no more about it I continued with my work and a few minutes later my eyes felt uncomfortable...I rubbed them,as you do, and within seconds I was hit with unbelievable pain in both eyes...within minutes I was totally blind.I found my way to the sink and stuck my head under the tap...no effect.
Being alone I panicked and staggered to the house next door...no answer.Now I was really crapping myself...I suddenly heard a voice..."Are you alright mate?" it was a passing window cleaner.
He phoned 999 and I was rushed to the eye hospital...all the time in awful pain.They rushed me in and a nurse immediately bathed my eyes with a solution that stopped the pain almost within seconds.
Some three hours later after treatment my sight returned and there was no long term damage.
God knows what would have happened without that passing window cleaner.The doctor told me the milky sap from the plant was one of many with extremely toxic effect if coming into contact with the eyes. Obviously I had inadvertantly rubbed my eyes shortly after picking the plant...after a lifetime of picking leaves for birds and rabbits without accident I never thought to wash my hands...How many kids do after playing outdoors and picking flowers and plants all day long?
Needless to say I now wash my hands regularly when weeding or handling plants...Do you??
