birding-aus

Dr Karl on Stinging Trees

To: <>
Subject: Dr Karl on Stinging Trees
From: "Judy Philip" <>
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 17:35:44 +1030
Carol Probets wrote:

> I know we've had a thread on stinging trees in the past, but the following
> link which appeared in the latest Gumnuts will be of interest to
> anyone who
> has birded in rainforest. It seems the best remedy for a sting from one of
> these trees is a leg wax (or arm wax or whatever body part is relevant)!
>
> What I didn't realise is it's possible to have a reaction without even
> touching the tree.
> http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s243639.htm

What a fascinating article - thank you; the things one learns on a bird
mailing list!

A hair-removal wax strip would certainly raise the eyebrows of anyone
checking one's First Aid Kit!  But something else I found interesting when I
clicked on the article was that the sting actually does no harm (that is,
apart from making the stingee seek the merciful release of death).  Dr Karl
writes: "The pain is real and intense, but your body does not suffer any
damage. Fire and snake bites cause pain, AND they damage you as well."
Fascinating!  Also that hairs from stinger trees that were collected a
century ago still 'work'!

Judy

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