12 TREATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 
The So-Called *‘ Pickle Brood.”’ 
In addition to the two infectious diseases just described, brood 
dead from other causes is often observed. The most common disease 
of this kind is what is known among beekeepers as “ pickle brood.” 
This name is seemingly applied to a great many different appear- 
ances and nothing is known of the cause or methods of spread. The 
most typical form kills the larva when it has extended itself in 
the cell. The larva usually les on its back with the head turned 
upward. The color varies, but is frequently light yellow or brown, 
and the head is often almost black. The body is swollen and the 
contents watery, and the head may be quite hard. There is no 
ropiness. In case the larve are sealed before dying the cappings 
are usually normal. The name usually applied to this condition was 
unwisely chosen, and for the present and until more is known con- 
cerning the disease it is spoken of as the “ so-called pickle brood.” 
This trouble does not appear to be infectious and is usually not 
serious, except that in the aggregate it may cause loss by weakening 
colonies. No treatment is necessary, as the trouble usually soon dis- 
appears. The most serious aspect of this disease is that it is often 
mistaken for one of the infectious diseases, and the colony is need- 
lessly treated. 
Brood dead of other causes. 
Many different external factors may cause brood to die. If brood 
is killed by chilling in the spring or fall, or by overheating in ex- 
tremely hot weather, or in shipping colonies of bees, or by starvation, 
the loss is often mistakenly attributed to an infectious disease. Such 
dead brood is soon removed by the bees. When the cause is removed 
the trouble then soon disappears. When a considerable quantity of 
brood is killed a disagreeable odor is usually present. 
‘““ Bald-headed brood.’’ 
It sometimes happens that unsealed or only partially sealed pupe, 
known as “bald-headed brood,” are observed in the hive, and fre- 
quently beginners mistake such a condition for disease. The par- 
tially built capping is often mistaken for the punctured capping of 
American foul brood. If, on examination, the pup are normal no 
fear need be entertained. 
METHODS OF SPREAD. 
Both American foul brood and European foul brood spread from 
colony to colony and from apiary to apiary in much the same way. 
The common means of carrying the virus is in honey which has be- 
come contaminated. The disease may be carried when bees rob a 
hive in which a colony has died of disease or may be transmitted by 
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