REMEDIES FOR THE STING OP A BEE. 203 



ces; but, in extrauting it, it aliould not be taken between 

 the fingers. In so doing, most of the poison will be pressed 

 into 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 sJiould 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 nibbed 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, maj^ 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 co?d M)a«er 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 



