Belladonna Plaister for Bee-Stings

Abstract

SOME years ago it occurred to me to try the experiment of treating bee-stings with belladonna plaister; and, as this remedy is remarkably efficacious, and as I have met no one who was aware of the cure, I have intended for a long time to ask you to put the fact on record in your columns. If the sting is but slight, there are no unpleasant effects at all when belladonna is at once applied, and the plaister may be removed after a comparatively short time; if the sting is severe—i.e., as I suppose, if it has entered a vein—it may be necessary to retain the plaister for several days; and in such case, although there will be swelling and some irritation, both these unpleasant effects will be very notably less than in cases where no belladonna has been used. Of course, as some people are extremely susceptible to bee-poison, it is quite possible that they may not find a belladonna-treated sting so small a matter as I find it; but I presume that they will find at least a proportionate alleviation. In the summer-time my children run about the garden bare-footed, and not unfrequently they step upon a bee and get stung. At once there is a shout for “belladonna”; it is put on; and we never hear another word about the sting. I have also found belladonna give great relief from a wasp-sting. I should be very glad to hear the result if anyone living in a “mosquito”—;ridden part of the country would try the experiment of applying belladonna to mosquito-bites. It might well be quite useless; but, on the other hand, it might serve.