90 THE APIAUY; OE, 



each half of it piercing alternately deeper into the wound made by 

 the sheath. The dart is barbed on each side, so that the bee when 

 very angry is scarcely ever able to withdraw it : — 



" Deems life itself to vengeance well resigned ; 

 Dies on tke wound, and leaves the sting behind." 



If the patient who receives the sting could only take it patiently, 

 it would not prove half the inconvenience to him that often is the 

 case. There are indeed some happy mortals whose " blood such an 

 even tenour keeps," that a bee-sting is to them simply a puncture, 

 and nothing more. Dr. Bevan has suggested that lovers should 

 subject themselves to the ordeal of a bee-sting, in order to prove, 

 we suppose, that their temper is proof against "tlie stings and 

 arrows of any outrageous fortune " that matrimony can bring. 



It is the homcepathically minute tincture of poison injected by the 

 bee which causes inflammation. The first thing to do is to remove the 

 sting, which, even when detached from the bee, will continue to pene- 

 trate still further into the wound. IVext, press the hoUow point of a 

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

 able 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 venom is an acid, which an alkali will immediately 

 neutralize when brought into contact with it. Spirits of harts- 

 horn 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 appbed 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. 



