This knife, which is so simple in its construction, and so easily used, deserves to be made generally known. Gelieu, to whom Apiarians are much indebted, tells us, that in Switzerland it is commonly used, and that the combs from hives of any shape or materials are extracted without any difficulty. It is formed of a slip of steel (see [fig. 6.]) two feet long, by an eighth of an inch thick, the handle is twenty inches long, by half an inch broad, the turn-down blade of two inches in length, is spear pointed, sharp on the edges, and bent so as to form an angle of 90 degrees with the handle; the other blade is two inches long, by one and half broad, and sharpened all round; the broad blade cuts and separates the combs from the sides of the hive, and the spear point, which is also sharp on each side, admits, from its direction and narrowness, of being introduced between the combs to loosen them from the top of the hive.
CHAPTER XIV.
Remedies proposed, as cures, for the Stings of Bees.
"The sooner the Sting is extracted," says Dr. Bevan, "the less venom is ejected, and consequently less inflammation induced. To alleviate the irritation, numberless remedies have been proposed, of the most opposite kind and uncertain effect; as oil, vinegar, bruised parsley, burnet, mallow, or the leaves of any succulent vegetable, (renewed as soon as warm, and probably therefore, operating by cold alone) honey, indigo dissolved in water, &c., &c., the most effectual remedy appears to be Aq. Ammon, or Spirits of Hartshorn, nor is this surprising, when we consider that the venom of the Bee is evidently Acid."
I have known both the pain and inflammation greatly relieved by Laudanum; but for myself I could never experience the slightest relief from its application.
Its effects are very different in different persons, for, whilst a single Sting will sometimes produce alarming symptoms in one person, another may receive many without being inconvenienced either by pain or swelling; this I am sorry to observe is not my case, for a single sting causes me the most acute pain, accompanied by violent swelling and inflammation, which lasts two or three days; the above remedies have proved totally ineffectual in affording me the slightest relief, but I consider myself very fortunate in having lately met with almost a perfect cure, and it is as immediate as it is effectual; I have much pleasure in communicating it, for notwithstanding every precaution, persons, who are much amongst Bees occasionally meet with a sting. The method I have of late adopted, by which the pain is instantly removed, and both the swelling and inflammation prevented, is to pull out the sting as soon as possible, and take a piece of iron and heat it in the fire, or for want of that, take a live coal, (if of wood the better, because it lasts longer) and hold it as near to the place as I can possibly endure it, for five minutes; if from this application a sensation of heat should be occasioned, a little oil of Turpentine or Goulard Cerate must be applied.
During the last three years I have used for myself and those about me, who might chance to meet with a sting, a still more effectual remedy than the above, and as its application is more simple, it is certainly to be preferred. It consists in applying the least possible quantity of Liquor potassæ, immediately upon removing the sting, either with a fine camels' hair pencil, a sharp pen, or even with the point of a needle. The venom of the Bee being an acid, this very powerful alkali, consequently neutralises it, the pain is instantly removed, and neither swelling nor inflammation follow. Should too large a quantity of this alkali be used, (as from the hurry in which it is usually sought after frequently happens) the part should be plunged into cold water, or a scar will be the consequence, which will last for some days. I have found the quicker the application, the more effectual the cure.
CHAPTER XV.
Means of preventing the Bees from being stolen, especially in the Country.
I entirely disapprove of Houses of every description for Bees, as a protection against weather, because they tend in various ways most effectually to destroy the lives of those valuable insects, for, as before stated, they form a shelter for, and promote the increase of some of their most determined enemies; but there are other things to provide against, not only robbers of their own species, but those who would carry away hives as well as honey, and at the request of a friend, who has twice been deprived of all his hives by this latter description of robbers—I am induced to give what in my opinion is the best kind of house to answer this purpose, and likely to be the least injurious to the Bees. It may be sufficiently wide to allow of six hives with a milk-pan upon each, to be placed in a line, which will occupy about eleven feet, its depth may be about twenty-two inches, the top and ends weather boarded, the front and back composed of wood or iron bars, placed so that a small hive or box will not pass between them, the front ones may be fixed, but those at the back must be made to remove, and secured by a lock.