224 THE HONEY-BEE. 



relieved if a strong solution of ammonia be forthwith 

 applied ; or, failing this, carbonate of soda or of potass, 

 all of which alkaline substances will counteract the 

 acid poison. Should none of these be at hand, bathing 

 with cold water, after the use of the key, will wash 

 away the liquid squeezed out, and will dilute what 

 remains in the wound. The application of dry earth 

 is also recommended, and may do good, both by 

 absorbing any of the fluid expressed from the 

 puncture, and by its alkaline reaction destroying 

 the potency of the poison. 



There is, indeed, a long catalogue of remedies 

 vaunted by various apiarians as certain palliatives, if 

 not absolute cures, of the pain and swelling induced 

 by the stings of bees. Among these may be enume- 

 rated the following : the juice of the ripe berry of 

 the honeysuckle ; the milky liquid of the white 

 poppy stalk ; the juice of tobacco ; the leaves of the 

 plantain, or of the dock, bruised and applied to the 

 wound. Bevan recommends spirits of hartshorn, 

 of which ammonia is the chief component. Sliced 

 onion or leek is very strongly praised as an antidote 

 by some writers in our bee journals. 



The principles of chemistry undoubtedly point to 

 alkaline solutions as the proper kind of application. 

 There can be no doubt that the poison is acid in its 

 reaction. Any one may test this by collecting a 

 drop or two, and putting the liquid on to litmus- 

 paper. The characteristic change of the blue colour 

 to red will, at once, indicate the nature of the sub- 

 stance. Consequently, the natural neutraliser of its 

 properties will be an alkali of some sort. 



Should faintness and prostration come on in 



