86 DISEASES. 



danger of giving the bees too much, provided the 

 wind is not permitted to blow, directly on them. 



FOUL BROOD. 



" Foul brood " * is the only contagious disease 

 peculiar to bees with which I am acquainted. Noth- 

 ing is known at present concerning the origin or 

 cause of this disease ; it seems, however, to have 

 been in existence more than two thousand years ago, 

 yet we have no definite information concerning it 

 until comparatively a recent period. There can be 

 but little doubt, however, that it, like small-pox and 

 other contagious diseases, was in existence long ago, 

 and that it has been perpetuated in like manner. If 

 the one is ever spontaneously produced, so too the 

 other may be. This, however, is an open question. 



Mr. Quinby, many years ago, " made enquiries 

 through the Cultivator, (an agricultural paper) as to 

 a cause and remedy, offering a reward for one that 

 would not fail when thoroughly tested." 



Mr. Weeks, in answer, said " that cold weather, 

 in spring, chilling the brood was the cause." Another 

 gentleman said, " dead bees and filth that accumu- 

 lated during winter, when suffered to remain in the 

 spring, was the cause." 



* So called by the Germans. Diseased brood by Quinby, and 

 is probably the same disease as was called Faux Convain by 

 Schirac. According to Langstroth, this disease was probably 

 known to Aristotle, " who was born in Stagyra, Macedon, abont 

 384 years before Christ." 



