210 DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF BEES 



of the cells containing dead larvae are capped. When the larva 

 dies it turns a chocolate or brown color and in advanced stages 

 of decay becomes darker. The cappings become sunken, and 

 frequently the cappings are perforated by small holes. The most 

 common test for this disease is to insert a toothpick or timothy 

 straw into the dead tissue and slowly withdraw it. The decaying 

 matter stretches out like thick molasses, sometimes for an inch 

 or two before breaking. After the dead larva has become fully 

 dried it forms a dried scale on the lower side of the cell. This 

 scale adheres tightly to the cell and can be readily observed by 

 holding the comb in front of the eyes at such an angle that the 

 light falls into the bottom of the cell and illuminates the lower 

 side wall. 



There is also a very characteristic odor clinging to the combs 

 containing a badly infected case of foul brood of the American 

 form. It is commonly spoken of as a glue-pot odor but that 

 hardly describes it. It is, however, a characteristic of the dis- 

 ease that can readily be recognized. Queen and drone larvae are 

 seldom affected by American foul brood, while the other form 

 attacks both queen and drone larvae at the same stage as worker 

 larvae are affected. Cases are reported where there is a decided 

 odor with European foul brood, but the writer does not remem- 

 ber ever having seen a case in all the hundreds of apiaries visited. 

 The ropy condition of the dead matter together with the odor is 

 usually considered as positive evidence of American foul brood. 



When this disease is present the death of a portion of the 

 brood gradually decimates the colony until it becomes so weak 

 that it can no longer defend its stores and it is likely to be robbed 

 out and the honey carried to other colonies. The disease is thus 

 spread far and wide. The writer has seen cases where after the 

 death of the colony from foul brood the hive was turned over 

 and exposed to the bees by the owner, who was ignorant of the 

 real cause of the trouble. The disease was thus needlessly carried 

 into every colony of large apiaries. 



The disease is caused by a bacillus technically known as 



