The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-26
Published THE MACMILLAN COMPANY % I'M Ave"

be irritating and poisonous. This poison
Is distinctly different from the poison 81
bees and has different uses One OF its
applications is for govt. The symptoms il
produces are somewhat the same rs tho
poison Of bees.
Il have heard that one Of the tricks OF
the East Indian magician is to apply the
tincture OF red ants In his sorcery. To
cause seed to sprout quickly they will
first secure the soil from the ant hills and
further moisten IL with the crushed ants
themselves. The chemical effect on the
seed Is so quick and powerful that it is
said the flower or small plant will sprout
In few moments. ] am not an authority
for this, however. as ! only get 1t from
hearsay
Purely chemical formic acid is a power
ful remedy. IL applied TO rheumatic
troubles IL would have to be greatly diluted.
so far l have not prescribed II for rheu-
matism. We make new discoveries every
day, and ! work In experiment myself, 80
II may be possible that rheumatism Is
new field for formic acid; but. 40 far as l
know. 1t has not been previously pre-
scribed. In the homeopathic school We
prescribe for the symptoms which the
disease presents, and not because people
say they have a certain thing the matter
with them.
As for the bee sting itself, think It
somewhat OF a departure from usual prac-
tice, but accidents sometimes lead 70 new
discoveries, and am sure the field is ever
broad for investigation
DR.. Edward c. Spitzka was asked his
opinion on the effects Of bee stings.
1t seems to me to be a pretty good
thing said the doctor. -The principle Is
all right: probably better than the appli-
rheumatism is not new. have long heard
Of 1t and have used the product myself. but
the solution ! have prescribed is called
sptritus form icdruw, or tincture OF ants.
1t In literally the alcoholic extract made from
crushed red ants. The poison Of the bee
sting is virtually the same, thing as both
insects belong to the same order.
AT present ] am often called upon to
prescribe the red ant for rheumatism: in
fact. | have, a chemist who prepares the
powder OF crushed ants which Is laid about
the rheumatic part with excellent success
In allaying fever and Inflammation. lbelieve
this application OF red ants to parts affected
by rheumatism has been handed down by
the very savages themselves.
THE principle Of the bee sting ! think
just as good, but with a smilel man
would have TO be pretty badly of and screw
up a good bit Of nerve TO submit himself
to trial. The ant. the bee, the hornet
terus order and the poison they exude IL
practically the same. In South America
they have the honey-giving ant. just as
we have the bee here. There the ant hill
II the honey hive.
i have never personally prescribed
formic acid for this purpose, but ! can
speak knowingly of the tincture OF ant
II must be borne in mind. however, that
too many bee stings are fatal The sting
Of twenty bees can kill man, death being
caused by shock or fever, but usually by
shock. Children are very susceptible.
The idea IL interesting, nevertheless.
and II a man IL brave enough to be stung
once OF twice, do not see why he should
not experiment little. but should advise
strongly against many stings."
DIR. Palmer Dudley says that on file at
the Harlem Hospital there are many records
Of formic acid being used in cases Of sepsis.
given by the venous method. He had
never heard OF it as being prescribed for
rheumatism.