290 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. [Ch. vi. 



" Deems life itself to vengeance well resigned, 

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



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. But unfortunately, 

 as Langstroth puts it, " they seem to take a mischievous 

 pleasure in stinging those upon whom the poison pro- 

 duces the most virulent effect." 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 ' ' the stings and arrows " of any 

 •■' outrageous fortune " that matrimony can bring. 



It is the infinitesimally minute tincture of poison in- 

 jected 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 penetrate still 

 further into the wound. Next press the hollow point of 

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

 press a considerable portion of the virus. Then dip the 

 hand into, 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 neutralise when 

 brought into contact with it. Spirits of hartshorn will 

 generally be found efficacious, and should therefore 



