CORRECT MANIPULATION 69 
It is of course to be expected that occasionally 
the apiarist will be stung, although his chief 
troubles will commence if his bees sting the neigh- 
bours. It is the fear of stings that deters thou- 
~sands from taking up this most fascinating pur- 
suit, but really a sting is a mere nothing to most 
bee-keepers. It is all pure imagination chiefly. 
The flesh swells a little with some people on 
first being stung, but even this discomfort usually. 
disappears after a short time, until except for a 
little momentary pain there is no ill effect what- 
ever. In many, cases I often receive stings with- 
out noticing them. There are exceptional cases 
where people are constitutionally unable to bear 
the effect of stings, and where a single sting even 
causes most serious symptoms, but such instances 
are very rare. 
With regard to treatment, most apiarists after 
removing the sting ignore it altogether, but if it 
be thought advisable, a little ammonia, washing 
blue, or soda may be rubbed on the affected part. 
Brisk rubbing should be strictly. avoided, or a 
painful swelling may be caused, owing to the 
diffusion of the poison. The sting must always 
be removed at once by a scratching motion of 
the finger-nail. 
Beginners in bee-keeping should try and gain a 
fair idea of the condition of a colony from out- 
ward indications. This knowledge can only be 
acquired by close observation and experience, but 
it will save a considerable amount of manipulation, 
