DISEASES. &«. IBS 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

 DISEASES, &c. 



327. Diseases, &o, — Bees are subject to various diseases 

 and ailments, among which may be included — Dysentery; 

 Paralysis ; Chilled Brood ; Black Brood ; Pickled Brood ; Foul 

 Brood, or Bee Pest, and a new disorder, commonly called '' Isle 

 of Wight Disease " (360). In the treatment of these, modern 

 bee-keeping enjoys a distinct adrantage as against the old- 

 fashioned methods (77) j for, whereas the skeppist, being un- 

 able to make thorough examinations of his stocks, could but 

 seldom discover an unhealthy condition before the disease had 

 made considerable progress, the moveable-comb hive enables 

 the bee-keeper to discern the first approaches of danger (81), 

 and, by the use of preventives and remedies, to restrain dis- 

 ease, or to cure it in its initial stages. With this object in 

 view, it is important that, when stocks are being manipulated, 

 a sharp look-out be kept for any signs of disease ; that preven- 

 tives and remedies be always at hand when required ; and that, 

 when sickness of any kind shows itself, immediate steps be 

 taken to deal with it. 



328. Dysentery. — ^When bees are suffering from dysentery, 

 the ailment will show itself at the close of winter, or early in 

 spring. 



328, Stuftoms. — On examining the stock afifected, it will 

 be seen that the bees have discharged their excrement* over 

 the combs, and on the sides, floor, and alighting board of the 

 hive, as they never do in a healthy state, being scrupulously 

 clean in all their habits. (11). The faeces have a very offensive 

 smell, and vary in colour from a red-brown to a mud-black, 

 according to the nature of the food that has been used. The 

 bees move about languidly, and the colony rapidly dwindles. 



330. Catjsb. — ^When bees have been long confined to their 

 hives, and unable to take a cleansing flight : when they have, 

 from any cause (378), such as untimely manipulations, con- 

 sumed an excessive quantity of food : or, when their food has 

 consisted, to any considerable extent, of sour, or unripened 

 honey (31 S), or of syrup made with unsuitable sugar (312), they 

 become subject to dysentery ; and, being unable to retain the 

 excrements, they void them anywhere (377). 



