poison sacs than virile and active middle-aged bees. Moreover, the 

 strength of the venom itself varies through the season, and is 

 obviously affected by the nature and quality of the pollen upon which 

 the bees feed. The degree of virulence of the venom, as might be 

 expected, is most intense during the summer months. 



On the bee-keeper's part the absence of stings during the winter 

 lull slightly reduces the degree of immunity in the blood, and the 

 first stings of the season not only may feel more painful, but probably 

 cause more swelling than those received later. 



Much depends, of course, where the wound is actually inflicted, 

 as obviously a sting under the fingernails or in the lips or nostrils 

 is much more painful than on the hands, and usually more dangerous. 

 The flexor surfaces of the skin such as the inner side of the joints 

 of one's limbs where the skin is much thinner, and the presence of 

 arteries or veins always give more serious reactions to a bee sting 

 than elsewhere. Even to a bee-keeper possessing immunity, a sting 

 in one of these sensitive places can sometimes be quite excruciating 

 for a few moments. A sting inside the mouth from either a wasp or a 

 bee is dangerous, as the subsequent swelling may cause suff'ocation, 

 and medical assistance should be procured at once. 



Towards the end of summer, as the winter stores begin to 

 accumulate, the need for the bees to defend their hard-won food 

 supphes becomes more imperative, and they tend to develop a more 

 aggressive attitude. As the days shorten so also do tempers. The 

 more potent effects of late season and autumnal stings are the 

 direct consequences of this natural reaction. 



While birds can swallow bees with impunity, the effect of bee 

 venom taken internally may occasionally set up distressing con- 

 ditions, and it is advisable therefore to refrain from sucking a wound 

 due to a bee sting. 



Lastly among the direct effects of an unexpected attack from a 

 bee on those to whom the joys of bee-keeping are unknown is a 

 sudden and surprising loss of dignity. Even the threat of one from 

 an angry bee is sufficient to induce this breakdown of composure. 

 Prim and staid old folk have been seen to abandon their reserve with 

 commendable promptness and with a display of agility that they 

 never for one moment suspected themselves of possessing. Even 

 cripples have been known to discard their crutches in their attempts 

 to make greater haste. 



The effect on animals varies. Bees occasionally get entrapped 

 in the hairs of animals whose aroma they dishke and stings in- 

 evitably follow. Generally, however, the penetration is hght and 

 if it is a dog that has been stung it usually dashes home with its tail 

 down. On horses, however, the sting is usually felt more severely, 

 and they may become out of control if badly stung. In fact, a 

 bad attack may cause them to become ill and even die. If horses 

 are at work or grazing close to an apiary it is both thoughtful and 

 kinder to avoid opening up stocks of bees until the line of flight is 



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