378 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



course worse than nothing. Be careful not to suck the 

 wound as so many persons do ; this produces irritation in 

 the same way ■with rubbing. Who does not know that 

 a musquito bite, even after the lapse of several days, may 

 be brought to life again, by violent rubbing or sucking ? 

 The moment that the blood is put into a violent and unnat- 

 ural circulation, the poison is quickly diffused over a con- 

 siderable part of the system. If the mouth is applied to 

 the wound, other unpleasant consequences may ensue. 

 While the poison of most snakes and many other noxious 

 animals affects only the circulating system, and may there- 

 fore be swallowed with impunity, the poison of the bee 

 acts powerfully, not only upon the" circulating system, but 

 upon the organs of digestion. The most distressing head- 

 aches are often produced by it. 



From my own experience, I teeommend cold water as the 

 very best remedy with which I am acquainted, for the sting 

 of a' bee. It is often applied in the shape of a plaster 

 of mud, but may be better used by wetting .cloths and 

 holding them gently to the wound. Cold water seems to 

 act in two ways. The poison of the bee being very vola- 

 tile, is quickly dissolved in water ; and the coldness of the 

 water has also a powerful tendency to check inflammation and 

 to prevent the virus from being taken up by the absorbents 

 and carried through the system. The leaves of the plan- 

 tain, crushed and applied to the wound, will answer as a very 

 good substitute when water cannot at once be procured. 

 The broad-leafed plantain, or as some call it, " the toad 

 plantjiin," is regarded by many as possessing a very great 

 efficacy. Bevan recommends the use of spirits of harts- 

 horn, applied to the wound, and says that in cases of severe 

 Slinging its internal use is beneficial. Whatever remedy is 

 applied, should be used if possible, without a moment's de- 



