BEE MANUAL. Ge 
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. 
IT 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, 
Fig, 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 
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