80 PROFITABLE BEE-KEEPING 



a heavy toll of bee life. The bacillus, after certain 

 changes, forms spores, analogous to the seeds of 

 plants. These are easily disseminated, and of 

 great vitality, retaining their power of activity 

 after a period of years, and they are immune to any 

 chemical agent which would not injure the bees. 

 When attacked the larvas turns to a pale yellow, 

 and later to a dark brown substance of glue-like 

 consistency, and with a very objectionable odour. 

 In the early stages the larvae which is unsealed is 

 noticeably flabby and distorted, while the sealed 

 larvae in bad cases shows sunken and dark-coloured 

 capping, often perforated by the bees with irregu- 

 lar holes, as if an attempt had been made at 

 removal. 



Black brood is a very similar disease, and in bad 

 cases both of this and foul-brood, the same mea- 

 sures should be adopted as for Isle of Wight 

 disease. Milder cases may be treated by the 

 starvation method. This consists of 'shaking the 

 bees from their combs, and confining them in a 

 box, or skep, for forty-eight hours without food. 

 Give them plenty of air, and at the expiration of 

 the time hive them in a clean hive on sheets of 

 foundation, and slow-feed with syrup medicated 

 with napthol beta. If possible re-queen the 

 colony. 



In dealing with these two disorders, it must 

 never be forgotten that both are highly infectious, 

 and the spores may be readily carried from colony 

 to colony by means of contaminated appliances. 



