192 THE APIARY. 



first thing to do is, to remove the sting, which, even when 

 detached from the bee, w^ill continue to penetrate still 

 further into the wound. Next, press the hollow point 

 of a watch-key exactly over the place stung ; this will 

 -express a considerable portion of the virus. Then dip 

 the hand, or bathe the part with cold or tepid water, for 

 the poison is volatile, and will thereby be dissipated to 

 a great extent. On no account whatever should the 

 part affected be rubbed ; to do that will diffuse the poison 

 ■and increase the inflammation. The specific remedy for 

 a bee-sting is taught us by chemistry : the venojn is an 

 acid which an alkali will immediately neutralize when 

 brought into contact with it. Spirits of hartshorn will 

 generally be found effectual for the purpose, and should 

 always be kept in an apiary. There are also several 

 other remedies more or less effectual, according to the . 

 special constitution of the patient. A strong infusion of 

 tobacco-water applied to the wound after the sting has 

 been extracted is a specific for many persons; others 

 find relief from the application of a sliced onion. 



We have heard the remark from several who have 

 kept bees for years, that the poison from a'sting has little 

 or no effect on them ; after receiving many inflictions, 

 their flesh appears to become so little affected, that the 

 swelling and pain at one time experienced no longer 

 trouble them. 



