. MUSQUITOES. 287 
tity of liquor which the insect always injects 
into the wound it makes with its spicula, as 
may he seen through a microscope, anti which 
it probably does to render the blood more fluid. 
The disagreeable itching this excites, is most 
effectually allayed by the application of vola¬ 
tile alkali; or if the part newly stung be 
scratched and immediately bathed in cold wa¬ 
ter, that also affords considerable relief; but 
< - 
after the venom has been lodged for any time, 
scratching only increases the itching, and it 
may be attended with great danger. Repeated 
instances have occurred of people having been 
laid up for months, and narrowly escaping the 
loss of a limb, from imprudently rubbing a 
part which had been bitten for a long time. 
Great ease is also derived from opening the 
pustules on the second day with a lancet, and 
letting out the blood and watery matter. 
