37 



Remedial Measures. 



In all our experiments with so-called remedies and cures, 

 il should be understood that the bees, during the period of the 

 ■experiment, were not confined in any way, and that they were 

 ■distinctly infected with Isle of Wight disease before any 

 treatment was tried. A number of colonies of diseased bees 

 were purchased from various beekeepers for the purpose of 

 experiment. 



Izal. — This proprietary article, advertised as the " Modern 

 high-power germicide, and a reliable remedy against foul 

 brood and Isle of Wight disease," was supplied to (1) a 

 colony suffering from Isle of Wight disease in the initial 

 stage; (2) a colony with a mild attack; and (3) a colony in 

 the last stages of the disease. The Izal was administered 

 both in the food and as a spray with water or sugar syrup, 

 the directions of the manufacturers being carefully followed. 

 In no single case was it effective. 



Bacterol. — This bactericide is stated to have a destructive 

 action on spores, and its use has been recommended for Isle 

 of Wight disease. Similar experiments were carried out as 

 with Izal, and the results were the same — purely negative. 



Dioxygen, Phenol, Quinine, Formalin, Sulphur, Milton, &c, 

 also aperients, were experimented with, but all gave negative 

 results. Indeed, it is doubtful whether a medicine or drug 

 exists which, when administered to bees suffering from the 

 Isle of Wight disease will effect a cure. We think little is to 

 be gained by the search for a so-called specific among medi- 

 cines or chemicals. Recently Flavine has been tried, but 

 without any good results. 



The most promising results so far obtained by us have been 

 got from the employment of "a pure culture of Bacillus 

 Bulgaricus. This is the organism recommended by Prof. 

 Metchnikoff as a remedy for intestinal troubles. It acts as a 

 scavenger of the intestine, and displaces putrefactive and 

 injurious organisms in the bowels. 



