REMEDIES FOR THE STING OF A BEE. 203 
ces; but, in extracting it, it should not be taken between 
the fingers. In so doing, most of the poison will be pressed 
‘nto the wound. It must be rubbed or scraped off by a 
quick motion of the finger-nail, so as to prevent any more 
of the poison of the sack from getting into the flesh. After 
the sting is removed, the utmost care should be taken not 
to irritate the wound by the slightest rubbing. However 
intense the smarting, and the disposition to apply friction 
to the wound, it should never be done, for the moment that 
the blood is put into violent circulation, the poison is 
quickly diffused over a large part of the system, and severe 
pain and swelling may ensue. On the same principle, by 
severe friction, the bite of a mosquito, even after the lapse 
of several days, may be made to swell again. As most of 
the popular remedies are rubbed in, they are worse than 
nothing. 
When the operator is perspiring abundantly, the stings 
are less painful, as some of the poison exudes with the 
sweat. 
If the mouth is applied to the wound, unpleasant conse- 
quences may follow; for, while the poison of snakes, affect- 
ing only the circulating system, may be swallowed with 
impunity, the poison of the bee acts with great power on 
the organs of digestion. Distressing headaches are often 
produced by it, as any one, who has been stung, or has 
tasted the poison, very well knows. 
403. In our own experience, we have found cold water to 
be the best remedy for a bee-sting. The poison is quickly 
dissolved in it; and the coldness of the water has also a 
powerful tendency to check inflammation. 
The leaves of plantain, crushed and applied to the 
wound, are a very good substitute, when water cannot at 
once be procured. Bevan recommends the use of spirits of 
hartshorn, and says that, in cases of severe stinging, its 
internal use is also beneficial. In very serious cases, the 
