BEE MANUAL. 



177 



CURES FOR STINGS. 



I am inclined to believe that there are as many " infallible 

 cures " for stings as there are for rheumatism — every person 

 seems to have one. The first thing to be done is to remove the 

 sting — not, however, as most people would do, with the thumb 

 and finger, but by a scraping process with the thumb or finger- 

 nail. If the former plan were adopted the contents of the 

 poison bag would be squeezed into the wound, but by the latter 

 method the sting is more easily and quickly removed without 

 expressing any poison. 



1 must here plead ignorance of the best or even a good 

 remedy to stop the irritation caused by a sting. I have tried 

 a few on myself, but I cannot say whether they had any effect 

 or not ; certain it is that they did not stop the irritation at 

 once, as they were supposed to do. The poison being an acid, 



Tig. 90.— SIMPLICITY COMB-HOLDER. 



we naturally expect that an alkali will neutralise its effects, 

 therefore ammonia should be about the best remedy if it is 

 applied immediately. A writer in a recent number of the 

 British Bee Journal recommends the use of strong carbolic acid, 

 such as is used for disinfecting drains. His method of 

 applying it is as follows : — 



" Immediately after we have been stung we extract the sting, touch 

 the place with a stick or glass rod which has been dipped into carbolic 

 acid, and then apply a drop of water ; and the union of the two causes 

 a paralysis of the nerves which control the lymphatics, and so prevents 

 the poison being taken up into the system. Only the smallest possible 

 quantity must be used, as the acid, being a caustic, when mixed with 

 water, leaves a scar, which, however, will disappear in a few days, 

 unless an excessive quantity is used." 



Some recommend an onion, cut and applied to the wound, 

 but whatever is done should be done quickly, before the poison 



N 



