SEE-STINGS. 225 



consequence of one or more stings, as happens in the 

 case of certain constitutions, smelling-salts (ammonia), 

 or other usual stimulants to the nervous system and 

 heart-action, must be applied, and medical aid should 

 be summoned ; but the cases in which such steps 

 become necessary are comparatively rare. Certainly 

 not one person in a thousand need be terrified from 

 bee-keeping by the fear of serious consequences from 

 being stung. 



It is true the effects of the poison are, in most 

 cases, very unpleasant, severe pain being felt for a few 

 minutes, succeeded later by swelling, smarting, and 

 irritation ; but these symptoms soon subside, and 

 leave no ill consequences. Moreover, it is a well- 

 ascertained fact that, after numerous stings, some 

 effect is produced on the blood a sort of inoculation 

 which renders the result of the poison less and less 

 severe. Many bee-keepers, indeed, pay almost no 

 attention to punctures from their pets, as pain and 

 swelling are quite insignificant in their cases. Herr 

 Klein, in fact, recommends apiarians to get purposely 

 stung, so that, as speedily as possible, they may secure 

 to themselves this immunity from discomfort. We 

 doubt whether many persons will have the hardihood 

 to accept his advice, or will consider such a violently 

 homoeopathic remedy less objectionable than an 

 occasional attack of the malady. 1 



Our advice, on the contrary, is that the bee-keeper, 

 especially if timid about being stung, should take 

 all reasonable precautions against attack. For this 



1 We may remark in passing that we have been informed the poison 

 of the bee is used under the name of Apis as a recognised and potent 

 medicine by homoeopathic practitioners. 



Q 



