reasonably free or a serious mishap may result if the animals are in 

 harness. Goats should not be tethered too close to bees, but fowl 

 usually seem to escape because of their protective coat of feathers 

 and no precautions need be taken. Cases have occurred, though 

 at rare intervals, of fowl and ducks having been stung to death. 

 Some birds are very sensitive to bee stings and others curiously 

 enough are relatively immune. The curiously diverse effects of 

 bee venom is well illustrated by the lack of sensitivity to it by rats,, 

 whereas mice are most vulnerable. 



Delayed action effects. Apart from the more serious consequences 

 of a bee sting suffered by those unfortunate, but comparatively rare 

 number of people who are super-senstive or allergic to them, it is,, 

 of course, now quite well known that bee venom possesses a marked 

 curative effect on rheumatism. In fact, it is hardly overstating the 

 case to say that in some forms of this painful complaint it is Nature's 

 finest cure. 



This feature has frequently been ridiculed and others have 

 asserted with feeling that the cure is worse than the disease. That, 

 however, is a matter of opinion. Anyone who has suffered from the 

 crippling and agonising sufferings of acute rheumatism is only too 

 glad to attempt anything that will afford relief. 



It is a well-known fact that the majority of bee-keepers are 

 entirely free of rheumatism. Moreover, there are innumerable cases 

 of people so crippled with the complaint that they could scarcely 

 walk or move ultimately becoming fit and active again as the result 

 of taking up bee-keeping with its inevitable consequences. In such 

 a state was an elderly relative of mine whose hands were distorted 

 by rheumatism, and so crippled that she was obhged to help herself 

 along by the aid of sticks. On the advice of her doctor she took up 

 bee-keeping, and duly became well stung, with the result that 

 before a year had elapsed, she found herself very much better- 

 In due course she became an active woman once again, living to a 

 good old age. There is, however, no need to quote more such 

 incidences for they are legion. In my own case a severe bout of 

 stinging inevitably leads to a feeling of great physical fitness. 



The bee is not alone among animals whose venom possesses 

 curative and therapeutic properties. These have been known far 

 down the ages, and it is on record that Hippocrates recommended 

 a mixture of bee venom from crushed bees in honey for the treatment 

 of various ailments including even falling hair and toothache. 

 Bee venom therapy is now a recognised treatment by the medical 

 profession, and although it cannot be claimed to be invaluable in 

 its successful application, yet its effect is most pronounced in cases 

 of acute rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica and fibrositis. Bee venom 

 is stated to be a safe and efficient therapeutic treatment, and leaves 

 in its wake no heart troubles as do certain other cures and pain 

 relievers. Its action is through the blood. It stimulates and in- 

 tensifies the circulation as well as the blood vessels. In effect it 

 produces exactly the right condition necessary to correct the existing 



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