300 Remedies for Stings. 



a sponge wet in chloroform — it takes but a few drops — 

 then puts in another dry sponge. These dry sponges pre- 

 vent the escape of the chloroform, except when the bellows 

 is worked. Mr. Jones finds that bees partially stupefied 

 with chloroform receive queens without any show of ill- 

 will. As soon as the bees begin to fall, the queen is put 

 into the hive and no more of the vapor added. I tried this 

 last summer with perfect success. This was recommended 

 vears ago in Germany, but its use seems to have been aban- 

 doned. It is more than likely that Mr. Jones's method of 

 applying the anaesthetic is what makes it more valuable. 

 The smoker diffuses the vapor so that all bees receive it, 

 and none get too much. I should use ether instead of 

 chloroform, as with higher animals it is a little more mild 

 and safe. Our British friends of late are recommending 

 carbolic acid in lieu of smoke to quiet bees. By means of 

 a feather the liquid is brushed about the entrance and along 

 the top of the frames, or else a cloth dampened with the acid 

 is placed over the frames. This is also used to fumigate 

 the bees for the same purpose. Mr. Cheshire advises a 

 little creosote placed in the common smoker, to make the 

 smoke more effective. There is no question but that this 

 obnoxious substance will quiet the bees; but it seems to me 

 from a brief experience, that it is far less convenient than 

 the smoker. 



TO CURE STINGS. 



In case a person is stung, he should step back a little for 

 a moment, as the pungent odor of the venom is likely to 

 anger the bees and induce further stinging. By forcing a 

 little smoke from the smoker onto the part stung, we will 

 obscure this odor. The sting should be rubbed off at once. 

 I say rubbed, for we should not grasp it with the finger- 

 nails, as that crowds more poison into the wound. If the 

 pain is such as to prove troublesome, apply a little ammonia 

 The venom is an acid, and is neutralized by the alkali! 

 A strong solution of saltpetre I have found nearly as good 

 to relieve pain as the ainmonia. Ice cold water drives the 

 blood from any part of our body to which it is applied, and 

 so it often gives relief to quickly immerse the part stung in 



