70 
intensity of the stinging sensation was experienced i-l hour after rubbing 
and -this continued throughout the day. On the second day the stinging 
sensation was less severe and was felt at intervals especially in the early 
morning, after washing, and at night in the cooler temperature. On the 
third day the redness of the skin had disappeared; the stinging sensation 
was felt at intervals during the early morning and after washing and 
drying and continued to be experienced after washing and drying until 
7 days after the commencement of the experiment. 
In the fourth experiment a leaf of Laportea gigas was used. The 
leaf was from a fresh specimen and was young and green. It was boiled 
for 20 minutes, allowed to dry In air and rubbed on the left side of 
the right shin. After a few seconds the stinging sensation was felt. No 
reddening of the skin was observed. The stinging sensation was experi- 
enced throughout the first day but was not so acute as that which resulted 
from the experiment with Laportea moroides. On the second day the 
stinging sensation was slightly felt after washing and drying and was not 
experienced on the following day. 
Remedies and Treatment 
The most popular and commonly known treatment to alleviate the 
pain of the sting is that of rubbing the affected areas of the sting with 
the Cunjevoi (Alocasia macrorrhiza). I tried this widely advocated remedy 
very many years ago on the sting of Loportea moroides and it seemed to 
intensify the pain. Mr. J. Waller of "Neusa Vale" who has lived at Kin 
Kin all his life informs me that in his experience the Cunjevoi has no 
effect in reducing the stinging sensation. 
Warmth such as that obtained from covering by woollen clothing 
and the application of heat such as that obtainable from applying a very 
hot water bottle seem to be the most effective ways of reducing the pain. 
Contact with cold water increases the stinging sensation. There is a 
definite relationship between the intensity of the sting and cold conditions. 
References 
1. Emmelin, N. and Feldberg, W. The Mechanism of the Sting of the 
Common Nettle (Urtica urens). Journal of Physiology. 106: 440-455. 
1947. 
2. Flury, F. Ueber die chemische Natur der Nesselgifte. Zeitschrift fuer 
die gesamte experimentelle Medizin, Berlin. 56: 402-409. 1927. 
3. Francis, W. D. Australian Rain-forest Trees. 1st Ed. pp. 71, 76; figs. 
34 35 36, 37. 1929. 2nd Ed. pp. 86, 87; figs. 34, 35, 36, 37. 
1951. 
4. Petrie, J. M. The Stinging Property of the Giant Nettle Tree. Proc. 
Linn. Soc. N.S. WoleS/ 31: 530-545. 1906. 
5. Solereder, H. Systematic Anatomy of the Dicotyledons. English Trans- 
lation by Boodle, Fritsch and Scott. Vol. II, p. 777. 1908. 
6 Winkler H Die Urticaceen Papuasiens, Engler's Bofanische Jahrb, 
57 (3-5): 501-509. 1922. 
