20 TREATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 
treatment of the contagious diseases and particularly in compelling 
negligent and careless beekeepers to treat their diseased colonies. It 
is quite possible for the individual beekeeper to clean up his own 
apiary by following the directions given in this bulletin, but unless 
all of the beekeepers in the neighborhood do the same thing there 
will probably be a recurrence of the trouble due to infection from 
outside apiaries. It is therefore manifestly to the advantage of the 
beekeepers that they cooperate with the inspectors in the fight against 
diseases. 
EXAMINATION OF SAMPLES OF DISEASED BROOD. 
The Bureau of Entomology of this department is prepared to 
assist in the diagnosis of disease in cases where the beekeeper is 
unable to tell whether or not disease is present, or to Hecate which 
disease is in his apiary. Samples of brood comb about 5 inches 
square containing diseased or dead larvee should be sent by mail 
in a strong wooden or tin box. The comb should not be wrappedin 
paper or cotton, but should be cut to fit the box closely. It is rot 
possible to diagnose from empty combs, and no honey should be 
included in the sample, as it is valueless in diagnosis and will prob- 
ably spoil the sample as well as other mail matter. The name of the 
sender must always appear on the package, and any available data 
should be sent in a separate letter. Never inclose a letter in the box 
with the sample. 
THE DISEASES OF ADULT BEES. 
The diseases affecting adult bees are but imperfectly known. At 
present four are known to beekeepers by name. Whether these are 
entirely distinct or whether under each name one or more diseases are 
included is not known. As stated in the introduction, these diseases 
have not been sufficiently investigated to give much help to the 
practical beekeeper. 
DYSENTERY. 
Dysentery affects bees only in the winter and is manifested by a 
distension of the abdomen, due to an accumulation of fecal matter 
in the intestine. When a day warm enough for flight occurs the 
bees fly from the hive to cleanse themselves, and the hive and sur- 
roundings are spotted with yellow excreta. After a good cleansing 
flight the trouble usually disappears, but if the bees are unable to fly 
they often die in great numbers. It is generally believed that dysen- 
tery is due to improper winter stores, the honey containing too high 
a percentage of indigestible matter. Honeydew honey almost always 
produces dysentery, while bees wintered on high-class honey or sugar 
sirup are not affected. From the wide experience of many bee- 
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