Question
Hi Tom
A friend of mine was pricked by a frond from a canary island date palm and now has blood poisoning, have you heard of this before,if so, where can i get some information on this condition.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Steve,
Thanx for your question.  Here is a link about the problem you reference in your question.  Actually, this can happen with a variety of plants if there are animals living in it or active around it. Especially vermin like rodents which have a tendency to leave their urine and excrement everywhere.  Any time one is cut or pricked the wound should be immediately washed, sanitized and disinfected with an antibiotic ointment.  You can get blood poising cutting yourself on bamboo and other cane plants.  I cut two of my fingers rather severely a few weeks ago on Arundo donax (giant cane) growing in my backyard but I immediately flushed the wounds and applied Neosporin.  The wounds were washed daily and given limited exposure to air to help them heal faster and a new coat of Neosporin applied.  Just my two cents.  Here's the link.

http://www.myonlinetour.com/poi/bishanpark/index.htm

I hope this helps.
Tom