The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-07-11
WHAT TO DO UNTIL
THE DOCTOR COMES
BITES AND sTINGs OF INSECTS.
BY Charlotte c.. West, NJ. d.

II Is now common knowledge that
some of the most virulcnt and deadly
diseases are carried TO human beings
by apparently harmless little household
pests. The careful housewife has al
ways felt bitter antaEonism to the
common houscfly and the hcdbug. both
of which play an important role as dis
case carriers.
Some persons are exceedingly sus-
ceptible TO the bites and stings Of in
costs. upon whom they act as virulcnt
poison. Aside from conveying a dread
cd disease. intense inflammation Of iac
skin frequently follows the bite OF
bcdbug. mosquito, spider and so on.
1t will be found that half dram Of
powdered bora1 10 four ounces OF cam
either alone or combined with burlc
acid. can be used to advantage. One is
n lotion. the other an ointment
For ordinary stings OF insects em-
monia WATERFALL a teaSpoonful To n
cup Of watcr--is as useful as anything.
OIL Of citronclla is m excellent protcc-
ton against tho bites of mosquitoes:
equal parts Of this oil and alcohol make
pleasing application and should be
used freely on all exposed parts OF the
body. The BILL OF mosquito or an
entire insect like the tick. sometimes
remains embedded In the skin and may
become the seat Of n fostering sore. A
large tick should never be forcihly re-
moved. but will drop off when turnca-
tine benzinc, or tobacco juice is APP
piled. For smaller ticks pour oil over
the parts: this excludes the air and the
insect removes itself.
1t Is possible to protect oneself r.
1or opainSf
but the flea is not so well known. whlo
one species Of flea Is the carrier OF
fatal disease. Tho popular belief that
animals flcas do not attach themselves
TO human beings is a fallacy. Flcas
can be cxterminated with sprays Of bon
zinc or gasoline; a safer method consists
insprigs Of pcnnyroyal strcwn around.
while the following liquid can be used
70 combat flea bites as well as 10 ward
off tho insects by spraying the liquid
around tho rooms: Carbolic acid. 100
grains: oil Of bergamot 50 minims; CO.
logne water. 4 ounces: dilute alcohol.
ounces
A very simple remedy for tho sting
Of hornets, bees, etc, is nothing more
than raw onion bound to the parts. This
advice comes from a noted skin special
list who has frequently suggested this
mild measure Tor the alienation or tho
Intense pain following acute injuries inf
flcted by hornets and similar insects.
When swarms of hornets bees or wasps
light upon the mouth or throat. their
stings may cause such extensive swell
ing as to interfere seriously with breath
ing. Remember that the poison injected
by this type Of insect is acid. and is
ncutralized with ammonia or bicarbouatc
Of soda
The pain and swelling is further re-
licved with ice cold applications Of lead
water and laudanum. or with simple
iced cloths; in the absence Of anything
else apply wet clay.
Severe symptoms Of poisoning ;ray
follow the bite Of n ccntipcdc, spider.
tarantula and the like. If the patlcn;
IS overcome. apply a tourniQuct above
the part TO check the absorption Of the
poison and suck the wound. cspcCtorat-
ing frequently. Under no circumstances
swallow the poison and do not seek
the wound unless you are very S1rc
what caused the vite and that your own
mouth is free from cuts. abrasons or
open sores.
I Apply alcohol l TO 100, whisky or
tincturc OF iodine TO the wound nd
gradually loosen the tourniquct. To
Impressive a tourniquet at mpmcnta
notice, tie a handkerchief or strip "t
cloth OF any kind loosely around the
limb, insert a stick into the loose knot