The Sting loi 



bee-stings are most virulent in the summertime when the 

 honey-flow is at its height ; while in the winter they are 

 comparatively harmless. 



The ancients did not know what to do for bee-stings. 

 Pliny frankly admitted that he knew of no remedy, and 

 we of to-day are little better off, as apphcation proves most 

 of the remedies recommended to be useless or worse than 

 useless. 



Butler's advice is doubtless as good as any : — 



" When you are stung, instantly wipe out the bee, sting 

 and all, and wash the place with your spittle ; so shall you 

 prevent both pain and swelling, which otherwise nothing 

 but time can cure : for the poison is so subtle that it 

 quickly penetrateth the flesh and the wound so small that 

 no antidote can follow after." 



Probably cold water very gently applied is as good as 

 anything, for this reduces the inflammation, and very likely 

 the use of mud so commonly recommended for stings is 

 valuable because when once put on it precludes rubbing or 

 other irritation and cools the inflamed part. 



Above all things the wound should not be rubbed. 



But first of all the sting should be taken out. For the 

 pity of it is that the poor passion-blinded little morsel jabs 

 it in and as a rule cannot get it out again ! 



Those numerous barbs hold too well. 



In her fright, assisted by an agonized brush from your 

 hand, she tears loose — and goes off minus her sting, help- 

 less and wounded, for she leaves both sting and poison- 

 sac behind her. 



It is said that if one is patient and strong-minded he 

 will stand perfectly still and let her work it out again, walk- 

 ing around and around the wound as a man twists a cork- 

 screw out of a cork, and that then she will not lose it, and 

 the sting wiU not hurt as much as when it is left in. 



