Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1898 — Bee Stings. [ARTICLE]

Bee Stings.

Nature has been getting Information from bee-keepers as to immunity from stings. Circulars were sent to one hundred and forty-five bee-keepers in Germany. From the replies, it appears that all but twentj'-six liad acquired immunity, nine or so having it naturally. The number of stings required to bring the result varies from about thirty to one hundred, and the remedies applied range from tobacco juice, salvia and water to French brandy, rum, ammonia, acetate of alumnla, heat and massage. Doctor Danger, who is conducting the investigations, states that a two to five per cent, solution of permanganate of potash Injected will counteract the poison. It used to be supposed that the poison of bee stings was due to formic acid; but as it has been found that heat does not destroy the poisonous activity, this can hardly be the case, and it is more likely that the toxic substance partakes of the nature of an alkaloid.