28 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
time ” difficulty is removed. If a sting be received, 
extract immediately, for reasons given under “ Sting 
Structure ” (Vol. L), but do not grasp the organ by 
the thumb and finger, as this will only force out ad- 
ditional quantities of the virus from the poison bag, 
which is almost always left behind. Pull the sting 
out, if possible, by the nail, running over it in the 
direction opposite to that by which it entered. The 
cures (?) for stings are legion. The poison is acid 
(formic being its main constituent), as may be seen 
by the litmus test, and so it has been argued that 
alkalis — ammonia, soda, &c. — should be used as neu- 
tralisers ; but experience does not corroborate the 
theory, which is simply chemical where it should be 
physiological. Arnica montana and Ledum palustre 
appear to help many, but I have known cases in 
which they have been positively injurious. The 
system, according to a law well known to physio- 
logists, will become habited to the poison, and so 
stings are usually less and less painful ; but cases are 
well known of old hands, who have stood stinging 
without after-consequences, suddenly suffering severely. 
This matter has been thus fully treated that 
the beginner may have at his will all that our 
present knowledge Is able to provide ; so that, should 
he find a sting a serious matter, he may have his 
panoply at command ; but a little experience will 
enable almost all to so manage that every kind of 
operation may be performed, with the protection the 
veil affords, with only a sting now and again as an 
occasional mischance. 
