Medicine: The Venomous Bee

Honeybees, for all their storied sweetness, are second to rattlesnakes as a menace to life in the U.S., the University of Pittsburgh's Dr. Henry M. Parrish reported last week. He traced 55 deaths in five years to rattlesnake bites, and 52 to allergic or anaphylactic (shock) reactions in sensitized subjects stung by bees. Hornets, wasps and yellow jackets (TIME. Aug. 19. 1957) accounted for 30 other deaths. In the same period all venomous snakes caused 71 deaths.

...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!