as a specific cure for the real damage has already been done. The 

 mere application of a surface remedy to the skin can have little 

 effect on what is rapidly going on deeper down due to the injection 

 of a virulent poison into the blood stream, and having once been 

 stung, the effect must pursue its normal course. It will be observed 

 that as far back as the 17th century Butler was aware of this as he 

 wrote — " no antidote can follow after." 



However, a weak solution of ammonia or the juice of a sliced 

 onion or other herb may be applied. Many other palliatives there 

 are which have been recommended for bee stings, although most of 

 them are helpful only by virtue of auto-suggestion. Bathing the 

 swelling with hot fomentations will often alleviate the discomfort, 

 and the irritation will be reheved by dabbing the affected part with a 

 weak solution of about 1 per cent, carbolic lotion. One excellent 

 remedy which can be recommended for the relief of bee stings is 

 a preparation known as Demore acidulated chloro-iodine. 



As mentioned above a bee sting liberates histamine into body 

 tissues in the vicinity of the sting. Modern treatment, therefore, 

 consists in taking internally an anti-histamine in the form of a tablet 

 or solution. Unfortunately these can only be obtained by a doctor's 

 prescription. It is not a bad idea, however, to buy a pot of anti- 

 histamine cream and have it handy. This does not require a prescrip- 

 tion and as it produces a local anaesthetic effect it will relieve the 

 pain in the area around the sting. 



In deahng with the effects of bee venom we are confronted 

 again and again with the diverse and various manifestations which 

 follow a sting. A number of these relevant causes have already 

 been touched upon, but at times there seems no reasonable or 

 satisfactory explanation. Medical records have abundant cases to 

 quote of hypersensitivity, allergy, idiosyncrasy, and anaphylaxis 

 with all their attendant symptoms and reactions. In the circum- 

 stances each case must be treated medically on its own merits. 



If the person stung goes into a faint, sal volatile should be given :^ 

 and the normal precautions observed. Whisky or brandy may al- 

 ways be given as an internal dose, for contrary .to what has so. 

 often been expressed, alcohol is helpful in destroying the effects of 

 venom. Even tea or strong coffee may often prove helpful. In a 

 severe case, the patient should be put to bed and a doctor sent for; 

 at once; speed is essential. The best treatment in such cases 

 consists of adrenaline three to ten drops being administered hypo- 

 dermically and repeated later if necessary. An ephedrine tablet 

 (i grain) can be given by mouth, if the victim can swallow, pending 

 the doctor's arrival, when he should be informed of what has been 

 done. 



As bees are clean eaters their sting is in consequence antiseptic, 

 and there is therefore no need to disinfect the injury. One experienced 

 bee-keeper when questioned as to a good remedy for a bee sting 

 replied tersely, " Another." This in fact is absolutely true, for the 

 only real rehef to bee stings is to acquire immunity. 



35 



