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Isle of Wight (or at least from a disease all of whose diagnostic 

 features are the same as those of Isle of Wight), we have 

 rarely found the spores of protozoa as described by Dr. H. B. 

 Fantham and Dr. Annie Porter, even after a minute examina- 

 tion of the chyle — stomach and faeces. On the other hand, the 

 stomach contents and the excrement of diseased bees have 

 shown the unfailing presence of masses of bacteria, and we 

 are of the opinion that these are not without special 

 significance. 



The result of our work on this aspect of the subject will be 

 published in a later report. 



Spbead of the Disease. 



Apart from the natural agencies which favour the spread 

 of epidemic diseases in general, and which have undoubtedly 

 .been operative in the present instance, there is direct evidence 

 of the Isle of Wight disease having been introduced into the 

 various districts of South- West Scotland by the importation 

 of bees from infected areas. It is quite a common practice 

 for beekeepers in Scotland to purchase swarms of bees from 

 the South of England about the month of May, so as to ensure 

 a strong colony for the heather harvest. Many such swarms 

 have come from districts where the Isle of Wight disease was 

 prevalent. These imported bees, though apparently healthy, 

 were in most cases suffering from the disease in its initial 

 stage, when diagnosis is difficult even to the specialist. In 

 the same way, the purchase of queens with attendant workers 

 from infected districts has also materially assisted in 

 spreading the disease. 



Once the disease has been introduced into any district it 

 quickly spreads, and sooner or later invades every hive. The 

 infection may take place in several ways. 



(a) When a colony becomes infected, the stock rapidly 

 dwindles on account of the high mortality incident on the 

 disease. The result is that the surviving members of the 

 colony are too weak to protect the hive against the invasion 

 of robber bees, who carry off the honey and infected material. 

 Not infrequently, also, the dispossessed and overpowered bees 



