112 A Modern Bee-Farm 
of bees has no difficulty in gradually moving along the 
surface of the same combs, and can do so without there 
being any reason for excitement, but when it becomes 
necessary to shift on to an entirely fresh set it means, as 
we have already seen, a disastrous disturbance of their 
natural economy. 
Foul Brood, or Bee Pest, 
was the only really serious disease the bee-keeper had to 
contend with prior to the recent advent of infectious 
paralysis. The late Mr. F. R. Cheshire conducted many 
experiments and investigations in regard to this matter, 
and was certain in his own mind that the disease affects not 
only the brood, but the adult bees and the queen as well. 
He also assured me that the disease could not exist in the 
presence of acids, and though he was able to show a stock 
completely cured by his own treatment with a solution of 
carbolic acid, it would appear by the light of my own 
experience, and the numerous failures reported by others 
who have tried to follow out his treatment, that he was not 
quite on safe ground, as we shall presently see. 
Initial Stages of Disease. 
It has so frequently been stated that the disease can be 
discovered by the foul smell emitted by the stock which 
may have it, that I consider it necessary to warn the 
uninitiated not to wait for such a rude awakening. At 
that stage it is very infectious indeed, and it will be a 
saving for the inexperienced person to burn the contents 
of the hive, after first suffocating the few remaining bees. 
With a colony in such a state the novice is certain to do 
only harm by attempting a cure, and with his want of 
experience, he will do well to be clear of it. 
