THE APIARIST AND HIS FOES 79 



It will thus be seen that there are many aspects, 

 but the progress of the disease is very rapid as a 

 rule, and any bee-keeper who is losing many bees, 

 in conjunction with any of the symptoms men- 

 tioned, will be correct in assuming that the trouble 

 is Isle of Wight disease. 



As regards treatment, it is to be regretted that 

 no certain cure has been found for infested stocks, 

 and most of them perish. Something may be 

 achieved in mild cases by feeding the bees with 

 food medicated with Bacterol, and by spraying the 

 bees with a solution of the same preparation. 

 Serious cases should be dealt with in the most 

 drastic manner. The stocks should be destroyed, 

 and the bees, combs, and all interior hive fittings 

 burnt, although any honey or wax may be used 

 for household purposes if desired. The hives 

 should be scorched out with a painter's lamp, 

 washed out with a five per cent, solution of 

 carbolic acid, and the outsides re-painted. The 

 ground under and about the hives should be 

 turned over, and sprinkled with lime, or carbolic 

 solution, and a good supply of fresh water should 

 be assured. Stagnant water is a fertile source 

 of infection. 



In combating the disease, absolute cleanliness is 

 essential, and all means should be adopted to 

 maintain the utmost vitality in the bees. 



Foul-brood {Bacillus Alvei) differs from Isle of 

 Wight disease in that it is a larval disease, but it 

 is little less formidable on that account, and takes 



