DISEASES, &c. IBS 



CHAPI'ER XXIX. 

 DISEASES, &c. 



327. Diseases, &c. — 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 advantage as against the old- 

 fashioned methods (77); 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. 



329. Symptoms. — On examining the stock affected, it will 

 be seen that the bees have discharged their excrements 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. Cause. — 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 (315), 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). 



