THE DISEASES OF BEES. 131 



taken, the system is overloaded, and the stomach and 

 intestines suffer from the too great burden thrown 

 on them. 



The occurrence of this malady is indicated by the 

 altered appearance and odour of the excrement, 

 which, instead of being reddish yellow, becomes of 

 a muddy black colour, and has an intolerably foul 

 smell. It is, moreover, deposited by the weakened 

 insects, contrary to their cleanly habits, on the combs, 

 the inner walls of the hives, on the floor-board, and 

 at the entrance of their dwellings. 



The avoidance of the causes of the generation of 

 the disease is a comparatively easy matter. The 

 means of cure are, first, the removal of the reasons 

 for its occurrence, and, secondly, the immediate and 

 thorough cleansing of all parts of a hive soiled by 

 the sick bees. It is still better, if possible, to remove 

 the stock into a perfectly fresh dwelling ; and it is 

 advisable to take away all combs with unsealed 

 honey, and substitute sealed stores, or to feed the 

 bees with barley-sugar. 



" Foul-brood " is a much more formidable malady, 

 and is often encountered. It is, indeed, a terror to 

 apiarians, for not only is it very fatal to any stock in 

 which it appears, but, from its ready contagiousness, 

 it may depopulate any number of previously healthy 

 communities, and may extend from one apiary to 

 several others in the neighbourhood. 



As the name implies, it has been thought to be a 

 disease of the larvae, and there are said to be two 

 kinds, called respectively the dry and the wet. The 

 former of these is much less serious, and is not 

 contagious. The young merely die in their cells ; 



K 2 



