T3 



progress of the disease, the infection will almost certain 

 spread to the remaining stocks in the apiary, and eventual 

 lead to the ruin of all. It is, therefore, most important th 

 every precaution should be taken to prevent its introductio: 

 and every effort made to secure its eradication wherever it h; 

 appeared. 



The commonest causes of foul brood infection are : — 



Healthy stocks robbing diseased stock 



166. Sources of Individual bees, when foraging for hone 



Infection. taking honey from the bodies of bei 



which have died from the disease. Tl 



supply to bees of honey or combs from 



diseased hive. The transfer of frames from a diseased to 



healthy hive. Neglect on the part of the operator to thorough! 



disinfect such parts of the body or clothing as were exposec 



or appliances which were used, when manipulating a disease 



hive. The acquisition of infected swarms or stocks. 



Amongst the conditions that are specially conducive to tl 

 development of, the disease, mention ma 



167. Conditions be made of the following : — 

 favourable to Damp and closely sheltered situation! 



Foul Brood. especially where the hives are much ovei 

 shadowed by trees. Dirty hives. Badl3 

 ventilated hives. Hives which are not weatherproof. 



When a frame of brood is taken from a healthy hive, it is foun 

 to contain near its centre, a more or les 



168. Symptoms, circular patch of brood. The cells cor 



stituting this brood-patch will contai 

 small grubs or larvae, the best developed of which will pre 

 sent a plump, pearly-white appearance as they lie curled u 

 in the shape of the letter " C " at the bottoms of the cells (Fig 

 3). But when the disease is present, particularly in its mor 

 advanced stages, these larvsB will be seen lying in various posi 

 tions in the cells — often with their backs up ; they will also b 

 flabby in appearance and of a pale yellow colour, grad 

 ually turning to a pale brown hue as they shrivel up an( 

 die. The capping of healthy brood is usually flat o 

 very slightly raised, rarely sunken; that of disease( 

 brood, on the other hand, is usually indented, frequentl; 

 perforated, and generally much darker in colour (Figs. 48 and 

 49). When uncapped, these diseased cells are found to contain j 

 sticky coffee-coloured substance somewhat of the consistency o 

 rubber solution or semi-liquid glue. Care must be taken not ti 

 mistake " chilled brood " (164) for foul brood. As the diseasi 

 develops, the infected cells emit a fetid odour, which is readily 

 discernible on opening the hive ; when the attack has reachet 

 an advanced stage, this odour becomes so pronounced tha 

 it can be distinguished even before the hive is opened 

 Though it is thus easy to determine the existence of th^ 



